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BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Hole;
Pages verified before binding - 29 Sept. 1979.
The changes thru 19 Feb. 19 76 are at the end of the volume. They
are not interfiled. See change 6E for additional note.
This edition of the State Building Code was included in the first
edition of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations as volume three.
(Gov Uoc KFM2435.5.S4C6 vol. 3) Up'^dates to that volume were issued
in the Massachusetts Register , except for change 6N as far as we can
determine.
This edition superceded by a new printing in the second edition of the
Code of Massachusetts regulations , volume 18. This edition was in use
from July 1978 to (or thru) July 1979.
In July 1979 the publishing of the Code was turned over to the
Building Officials Conference of American, Inc. and presumably
their edition is now the official State edition.
The first edition of the State Building Code was filed 1 July 1974
and was published 15 August 1974. It was in use until the second
edition. Some changes were published to the first edition and may
be found at the end of that edition.
Prior the. the first edition of the State Building Code each
municipality in Massachusetts had various building codes suited to
their own needs. The Boston Building Codes m ay be found on
Gov Doc TH225.B72A4 (year). There may be earlier editions on other
numbers.
24 October 1979
Copyright, I969, Building Officials Conference of America, Inc.
Copyright, 1973, Building Officials and Code Administrators
International, Inc.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Boston Public Library
http://www.archive.org/details/commonwealthofma1977mass
r^
S/^tale^ ^^&iMAe. • ^oA&irv 02^33
PAUL GUZZI
SECRETARY OF
THE COMMONWEALTH
TO: Subscribers to The State Building Code Amendment Service
FROM: The State Bookstore
DATE: November 4, 1977
The enclosed information is intended to make your Building Code easier to use.
In this mailing you will find:
1. A subscription service order blank for the new subscription
year (October 1, 1977 to September 30, 1978). This year we will
print all amendments single sided to make your code updating easier.
2. An Amendment Checklist which explains how to make sure your
code is up to date. It also has price information so you can
order any missing amendments.
3. An Amendment Reference Guide which will help you find out
which Code sections are affected by particular amendments. An
explanation of how to use the Amendment Reference Guide is attached.
We hope this information will be helpful to you. If you have questions about
your Subscription service or need to order amendments, please call the State
Bookstore 727-2834 or write us at Room 116, State House, Boston, MA 02133
ORDER BLANK & AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE
/''Amend .
LJ (Form
* Amend .
n (Form
'^ Amend .
\ \ (Form
*Amend.
r~1 (Form
* Amend .
EZl (Form
* Amend .
fj (Form
* Amend .
CJ (Form
* Amend .
( 1 (Form
*Amend.
r 1 (Form
*Amend .
1 I (Form
* Amend .
1 ] (Form
^* Amend .
□ (Form
■-^ Amend .
{ j (Form
Filed on
16-6A)
Filed on
16-6B)
Filed on
16-6C)
Filed on
16-6D)
Filed on
16-6E)
Filed on
16-6F)
Filed on
16-6G)
Filed on
16-6H)
Filed on
16-61)
Filed on
16-6J)
Filed on
16-6K)
Filed on
16-6L)
Filed on
16-6M)
12/6/74
12/6/7A
12/6/74
12/20/74
4/11/75
4/17/75
5/19/75
6/16/75
7/1/75
12/30/74
10/30/75
1/5/76
1/6/76
$2.35 plus .35 ship.
.75 plus .25 ship.
.55 plus .25 ship.
. 30 plus . 14 ship.
.15 plus .14 ship.
.15 plus .14 ship.
. 15 plus . 14 ship .
.15 plus .14 ship.
. 15 plus . 14 ship.
.75 plus .25 ship.
.15 plus .14 ship.
.15 plus .14 ship.
.15 plus .14 ship,
l__^*Amend. Filed on 2/5/76
i_J (Form 16-6N)
* Amend. Filed on
r~) (Form 16-60)
*Amend. Filed on
Q (Form 16-6P)
.^*Amend. Filed on
LJ (Form 16-6Q)
*Amend. Filed on
[3] (Form 16-6R)
*Amend. Filed on
(~] (Form 16-6S)
^*Amend. Filed on
M (Form 16-6T)
^*Amend. Filed on
LD (Form 16-6U)
^_,^*Amend. Filed on
□ (Form 16-6V)
.*Amend. Filed on
[-1 (Form 16-6W)
^^^Arnend. Filed on
r~] (Form 16-6X)
*Amend. Filed on
[2] (Form 16-6Y)
<:
.30 plus
.14
2/12/76
.15 plus
.14
5/5/76
.15 plus
.14
6/14/76
.15 plus
.14
6/29/76
.30 plus
.28
7/30/76
.15 plus
.14
11/1/76
.15 plus
.14
1/6/77
.15 plus
.14
6/3/77
.30 plus
.14
6/8/77
.15 plus
.14
8/1/77
.15 plus
.14
8/1/77
.75 plus
.25
TOTAL COST FOR COMPLETE CODE WITH AMENDMENTS
$14.25 plus $1.50 shipping
Please check amendments desired. Remit the total amount by a check made payable to Comm-
onwealth of Massachusetts. Mail this order sheet to: State Bookstore, Room 116, State
House, Boston, MA 02133.
NAME
ADDRESS
(Zip Code)
AMENDMENT REFERENCE GUIDE
Instructions for Use
The Amendment Reference Guide will tell you whether a particular Code section
has been amended and cites the particular amendment in which the changes are found.
Amendments are cited by filing date and Secretary of State regulation numbers, both
of which appear on the cover sheet of each amendment.
To find out whether a particular Code section has been amended, check the decimal
numbers identifying that section against the decimal numbers in the Amendment Reference
Guide.
1. If no decimal numbers for that section appear in the Amendment
Reference Guide, you know that the Code was not amended between
January 1, 1975 and November 4, 1977.
2. If there is a corresponding decimal number, you can find the
amended section by checking the filing date and Secretary of State
Regulation number against the filing date and regulation numbers
on the cover sheets of your amendments.'
3. For example, you may be using Article 21 to determine require-
ments for 1 and 2 family dwellings. You need to know whether
Section 2100.10, (The requirements for means of egress in one and
two family dwellings) , have been amended. A check of page 5 of
the Amendment Reference Guide shows that Section 2100.10 was amend-
ed by Secretary of State Regulation numbers 16-6E, 16-6Q, 16-6R
and 16-6V filed on April 11, 1975, June 14, 1976, June 30, 1976
and June 3, 1977. You would then read each of the amendments
listed in the Reference Guide to determine current egress requirements.
:M5
BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT CHECKLIST AS OF NOVEMBER 4, 1977
Please take a few minutes to examine this memo and the attachments, which explain
how to make sure that your. State Building Code is up-to-date. These materials were
developed by the State Building Code Commission in cooperation with the State Book-
store to assure good service.
1. First, check the title page to see which edition you own.
If it is a first edition, your Code should contain the following
five special amendments. If your code book is not identified as
a first edition, this would not apply, since the 5 amendments cited
below were incorporated as a part of all subsequent printings.
Building Code Provisions for One and Two - Family
Dwellings (Article 21) (Form 16-6A) $2; 35
Rules and Regulations for Manufactured Buildings,
Building Components, and Mobile Homes (16-6B) $ .75
Earthquake Load Provisions (Form 16-6C) $ .55
Schoolhouse Provisions (Form 16-6D) $ .30
44 Xeroxed Pages of Code Amendments
(now referenced as "Form 16-6J") $ .75
2. Second, check your Code section-by-section, using the Reference
Guide to be sure that you have all relevant amendments for each section.
The Amendment Reference Guide is a listing of all code amendments on a
section-by-section basis. It indicates the number of times a particular
section has been amended and the dates of amendment.
3. If there is a missing amendment, refer to the order blank for the
price of the missing amendment (listed by filing date and form number.)
STATE BUILDING CODE
November 4, 1977
AMENDMENT REFERENCE GUIDE
S. 101.0
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 107.8
16-6H
June 16, 1975
Table 1-1
16-60, 16-6V
February 12, 1976
June 3, 1977
Table 1-1 Notes
16-60, 16-6V
February 12, 1976
jmid 3, 1977
S. 108.1
16-6L
January 5, 1976
S. 108.2
16-6L
January 5, 1976
S. 108.15
16-6E, 16-6H, 16-60
April 11, 1975
June 16, 1975
February 12, 1976
S. 109.11
16-6M, 16-6V
January 5, 1976
June 3, 1977
S. 111.43
16-61
July 1, 1975
S. 113.5
16-6L, 16-6X
January 5, 1976
Aug. 1, 1977 (Editorial)
S. 113.52
16-6E, 16-6G
April 11, 1975
May 19, 1975
S. 113.6
16-6L
January 5, 1976
S. 113.61
16-6L
•January 5, 1976
S. 114.1
16-6L
S. lu^e^lb-ex (Editorial)
S. 114.8 ^"g- ^'^''^
16-6W
June 8, 1977
S. 122.12
16-6U, 16-6W
January 6, 1977
June 8, 1977
S. 127.32
16-6R
June 30, 1976
Rules & Regs, for
Licensing of
Concrete Labs
16-6R
June 30, 1976
Rules & Regs, for
Native Lumber
16-6R
June 30, 1976
S. 127.33
16-6R
June 30, 1976
S. 130.0
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 130.1
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 130.2
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 201.0
16-6L, 16-6R
January 5, 1976
(Editorial)
June 30, 1976
S. 201.2
16-60, 16-6Q
February 5, 1976
June 14, 1976
S. 207.0
16-6G
May 19, 1975
S. 209.2
16-6G
May 19, 1975
Table 2-5
16-6L
January 5, 1976
(Editorial)
Table 2-5 Notes
16-6N
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
Table 2-6
16-6Q, 16-6V
June 14, 1976
June 3, 1977
Table 2-6 Notes
16-6Q, 16-6V
June 14, 1976
June 3, 1977
S. 403.21 & Table 4-1
16-6L -
January 5, 1976
S. 407.3
16-6L
January 5, 1976
S. 407.31
16-6L
January 5, 1976
Ill hill AMENDMENT
REFERENCE GUIDE
S. 413.1
16-6S
July 30, 1976
S. 413.2
16-6S
July 30, 1976
S. 413.21
16-6S
July 30, 1976
S. 416.821
16-6H
June 16, 1975
S. 416.822
16-6H
June 16, 1975
S. 417.0
16-6L
January 5, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 417.2
16-6N
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 418.0 & 418.1
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 420.11
16-6U
January 6, 1977
S. 422.8
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 424.51
16-60
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 426.0
16-6R
June 30, 1976
*S. 427.0
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
S. 427.1
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.12
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.13
16-6E, i6-6V
^April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.2
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.21
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
S. 427.22
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
S. 427.23
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.24
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.25
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.26
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.27
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
DELETED June 3, 1977
S. 427.3
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.31
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.32
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.33
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.4
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
S. 427.41
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.411
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.412
16-6V
June 3, 1977
*The June 3, 1977 amendment repealed all of the previous code provisions deal-
ing with Day Care Centers and substituted new provisions as reflected herein.
ii/h/n
AMENDMENT P. 3
REFERENCE GUIDE
S. 427.5
June 3,
1977
S. 427.51
16-6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.52
16-6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.521
16-6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.522
16-6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.53
16-6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.54
16- 6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.54
16-6V
June 3i
1977
S. 427.55
16- 6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.6
16-6V
June 3,
1977
S. 427.7
S. 427.8
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
S. 427.9
S. 428.4
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
S. 427.10
T^^^
June 3, 1977
S. 427.101
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.20
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 427.30
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 428.0
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 428.1
16-6E, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 428.2
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 428.3
16-6V
June 3, 1977
S. 428.31
16-6V
June 3, 1977
le
)-6V
June 3,
1977
s.
428.41
,-6v
June 3,
1977
s.
16
428.5
i-6V
June 3,
1977
S.
16
460.25
-6Q
June 14 J
, 1976
S.
460.251
16
-6Q
June 14,
. 1976
S.
TE
460.31
-6V
June 3,
1977
s.
16-
503.3
-6Q
June 16,
1975
S.
601.0
-6l
January
5, 1976
s.
16-
605.0
-6W
June 8,
1977
S.
16-
605.31
■60
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
S.
605.32
16-6Q
June 14, 1976
(Editorial)
Wlhlll AMENDMENT
REFERENCE GUIDE
Table 6-1
S. 623.2
S. 911.0
16-6V
16-6H
16-6U
June 3, 1977
June 16, 1975
January 6, 1977
Table 9-3
S. 607.4
S. 624.2
16-6Q June 14, 1976
16-6S
16-6H
Section 9-Appendix A
July 30, 1976
June 16, 1975
S. 718.53
16-6X
Table 6-2
16-6L Jan. 5, 1976
S. 922.3
16-6S
S. 816.31
16-6L
July 30, 1976
16-6X
S. 816.33L(16-6X)
January 5, 1976
S. 609.11
S. 851.1
S. 1011.2
16-6L
16-6F, 16-6P
16-6V
January 5, 1976
April 17, 1975
June 3, 1977
(Editorial)
May 5, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 609.12
S. 851.11
Art. 10 Ref. Standards
16-6L
16-6R
16-60
January 5, 1976
June 30, 1976
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 610.31
S. 851.5
lf)-6G
16-6L
S. 1200.0
May 19, 1975
January 5, 1976
16-6L
January 5, 1976
S. 612.2
S. 868.1
16-6E
;L6-6V
S. 1201.0
April 11, 1975
June 3, 1977
16-6N
S. 612.41
XEditorial)
Art. 8 Ref. Standards
February 5, 1976
16-6H
(Part B)
"s. 1206.0
June 16, 1975
16-6S July 30, 1976
16-6G
S. 903. 61-62
May 19, 1975
S. 615.0
16-6X
16-6L
S. 903.7-71-72 (16-6X)
Table 12-1
January 5, 1976
S. 905.63
(S. 1206.11)16-60
S. 616.8 fEditorian
16-60
S. 621.0 Aug. 1, 1977 February 12. 1976
May 19, 1975
i6-bW
(Editorial)
June 8, 1977
S. 1218.211
S. 910.43
16-6N,, 16-6R, 16-6T
S. 623.1
16-60
February 5, 1976
ib-6H
February 12, 1976
June 30, 1976
June 16, 1975
(Editorial)
November 1, 1976
iUhpl
AMENDMENT
REFERENCE GUIDE
P. 5
S. 1218.213
16- 6V
June 3, 1977
S. 1218.215
16-6L
January 5, 197^
(Editorial)
Table 12-4
16-6N
February 5, 1976
Art. 12 Ref. Standards
16- 6N, 16-6V
February 5, 1976
June 3, 1977
Art. 18 Ref. Standards
16-6U
January 6, 1977
S. 1901.0
16-6E
April 11, 1975
S. 1905.11
16-6G
May 19, 1975
S. 1905.2
16-6G
May 19, 1975
S. 1908.0
16-60
February 12, 1976
(Editorial")
Rules & Regs, for Manuf.
Bldgs., Bldg. Compon-
ents & Mobile Homes
16-6G, 16-6K, 16-6U
May 19, 1975
October 30, 1975
January 6, 1977
S. 210 0.10 16-6E
16-60, 16-bR, 16-6V
April 11, 1975
June 14 „ 1976
June 30, 1976
June 3, 1977
S. 2100.11
16-6E, 16-6L, 16-68
April 11, 1975
January 5, 1976
July 30, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 2100.13
16-6G
May 19, 1975
Fie. 2100-1
16-6G, 16-6(3
May 19, 1975
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 2100.15
16-6L
January 5, 1976
S. 2100.18
16-6N, 16-6T
February 5, 1976
November 1, 1976
S. 21QQ.19
16-6R
June 30, 1976
S. 2101.9
16-60 '
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
S. 2102.2
S. 2104.2
16-6R
June 30, 1976
S. 2104.5
16-6G
May 19, 1975
S. 2105.2
16- 6R
June 30, 1976
Fig. 2107-1
16-60, 16-feU
February 12, 1976
(Editorial)
January 6, 1977
S. 2107.24
16-6Q
June 14, 1976
S. 2107.25
16-6Q
June 14, 1976
S. 2200.0 - 2206.1
Article 22 Energy Conservation
16-6Y
August 1, 1977
Reference Standards - Artlcle22
16-6Y
August 1, 1977
Index
16-6Q, 16-6U
June 14, 1976
' (Editorial)
January 6, 1977
(Editorial)
16-6F, 16-6P, 16-6R
April 17, 1975
May 5, 1976
June 30, 1976
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.
nules and Regulations filed in this Office under the provisions of
CHAPTER 30A as amended.
THE STATE BUILDING CODE COMMISSION, Made by
Authority of Chapter 802 of the Acts of 1972
Filed by as amended and en tij:led the
__COmONWEALm OFjlASSACHUSETTS_SmT^_ByiLMNG_C^^
-^" ^lllMng^^endments filed__u^^tg_an d including .T anuprj; Q^ 1 9 7 5
Date Published.
Chapter 233, sec. 75
Printed copies of rules and regulations purporting to be issued by
authority of any department, commission, board or Officer of the
Commonwealth or any city or town having authority to adopt them,
or printed copies of any ordinances or town by-laws, shall be ad-
mitted without certification or attestations, but if this genuineness
IS questioned, the court may require such certifications or attesta-
tions thereof as it deems necessary.
Attested as a true copy
PAUL GUZZI
1^ ^^^
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
i.FRF.n C. IIoLr.ANt), State 1'urcimsing Agent,
I, sum;. led (-..M I'd i ...n SS.()(J
Pages verified before binding - 29 Sept. 1979.
The changes thru 19 Feb. 1976 are at the end of the volume. They
are not interfiled. See change 6E for additional note.
This edition of the State Building Code was included in the first
edition of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations as volume three.
(Gov Uoc KFM2435.5.S4C6 vol, 3) Up'^dates to that volume were issued
in the Massachusetts Register , except for change 6N as far as we can
determine.
This edition superceded by a new printing in the second edition of the
Code of Massachusetts regulations , volume 18. This edition was in use
from July 1978 to (or thru) July 1979.
Gc\/: bCC.
In July 1979 the publishing of the Code was turned over to the
Building Officials Conference of American, Inc. and presumably
their edition is now the official State edition.
The first edition of the State Building Code was filed 1 July 1974
and was published 15 August 1974, It was in use until the second
edition. Some changes were published to the first edition and may
be found at the end of that edition.
Prior the the first edition of the State Building Code each
municipality in Massachusetts had various building codes suited to
their own needs. The Boston Building Codes m ay be found on
Gov Doc TH225.B72A4 (year). There may be earlier editions on other
numbers.
24 October 1979
Copyright, I969, Building Officials Conference of America, Inc.
Copyright, 1973, Building Officials and Code Administrators
International, Inc.
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE BUILDING CODE
Michael S. Dukakis, Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
William G. Flynn, Secretary-
Executive Office of Communities and Development
Second Edition
The preparation of this document was financed in part through a
grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
under the provisions of Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as
amended.
FOREWORD
The promulgation of this Code is a major step forward in the
formulation of a building regulatory system, which will have an
impact on both the public and private sectors.
This system will consist of the promulgation and maintenance
of this statewide, mandatory uniform building code applicable to
all buildings and structures; the establishment of a state mechanism
for the approval of all new construction materials, devices and tech-
niques; the establishment of a mechanisnn for state inspection and
certification of manufactured buildings, building components and mo-
bile homes; the training and certification of all building code officials;
and the coordination of all state agencies having a direct or indirect
bearing on this Code through the Technical Code Council whose func-
tion is to prevent problems of overlapping jurisdictions and fragmenta-
tion of administration.
More significantly, however, this system places the state on rec-
ord as a proponent of technological change in an industry whose im-
pact is both profound and pervasive on every citizen of the Common-
wealth. Through the implementation of this system, the State will
fulfill a most important obligation -- that of promoting an improved
quality of life in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The promulgation of the State Building Code and the establish-
ment of the building regulatory system could not have been ac-
complished without the passage of St. 1972, C. 802, which had
received full bi-partisan support from Governor Francis W. Sargent,
Senate President Kevin B. Harrington, Speaker of the House David M.
Bartley, members of the General Court, as well as that of Richard E.
McLaughlin, Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Building Officials and Code Administrators, Inc .
A substantial portion of this Code has been copied with permis-
sion of the copyright proprietors, from the BOCA Basic Building
Code/ 1970, Fifth Edition (copyrighted by the Building Officials
Conference of America, Inc.) and the BOCA Basic Building Code
Accumulative Supplement 1973 (copyrighted by the Building Officials
and Code Administrators International, Inc.).
City of Boston Building Department
Richard R. Thuma, Building Commissioner
Technical Code Council
Francis S. Harvey, P. E.
JOINT COl-tMITTEE ON SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA
Massachusetts Section, American Society of Civil Engineers;
Boston Society of Civil Engineers
Dr. Howard Simpson, Chairman Dr. Kenneth Leet
Simpson, Gumpertz and Heger Northeastern University
Charles A. J. Theodore Reverend Daniel Linehan
State Building Code Commission Weston Observatory
George H. Brattin Donald E. Reed
Portland Cement Association Haley & Aldrich, inc.
John Brennan Maurice A. Reidy, Jr.
LeMessurier Associates, Inc. Maurice A. Reidy Engineers
Gonzalo Castro Peter Riordan
Geotechnical Engineers, Inc. Goldberg-Zoino & Associates
Professor C. Allln Cornell Richard W. Souza
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Souza & True, Inc.
Stanlflaw J. B. Gawllnski Professor Kentaro F. Tsutsuml
Maurice A. Reidy Engineers Tufts University
Department of Civil Engineering
Professor Myle J. Hclley, Jr.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Merit P. V/hlte
University of Massachusetts
Clifford Kaye Department of Civil Engineering
U, S. Geological Survey
Professor Robert V. Whitman
Dr. Edward B. Kinner Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Haley 4 Aldrich, Inc.
Dr. Othar Zaldastani
Nichols Norton & Zaldastani
MASSACHUSETTS
STATE BUILDING CODE COMMISSION
Chairman:
Vice Chairman:
Charles A. J. Theodore Raymond Caravaty
Registered Professional Engineer Registered Architect
(Structural Engineer)
Members
Charles G. Cook, Jr.
Inspector of Buildings (City)
Pasquale DiGiulio
Building Trades
James R. Gilman
Registered Professional Engineer
(Mechanical Engineer)
Sanford A, Kaplan
Building Contractor
Frederick L. Sanford, Jr.
Inspector of Buildings (Town)
Don Stull
Building Owner
Joseph G. Sneider
State Fire Marshal
Department of Public Safety
Ex Officio Member
John T. Loynd
Acting Chief of Inspections
Department of Public Safety
Ex Officio Member
William G. Flynn, Secretary
Executive Office of Communities
and Development
Ex Officio Member
Charles J. Dinezio
Executive Director to
State Building Code Commission
Staffing
Norton S. Remmer, P. E.
Pauline E. Stanton
Douglas W. Renick
Paul J. Moriarty
L. Pauline Thompson
Linda Smith
Anita Vincent
Susan Daly
Technical Director
Code Development Specialist
Building Code Administration Analyst
Legal Counsel
Statistician
Senior Secretary
Secretary
Secretary
SAMPLE FORM
It is anticipated that the use of the Code will reveal the need for
revisions. Recommendations for specific changes should be submitted on
the form available from the State Building Code Commission (reference
Appendix L) ,
CODE REVISION PROPOSAL FORM
DATE:
Building Code Section No. Code Change No.
Proponent (Name)
(Address)
_Change subsection as follows. Delete subsection and
substitute as follows.
_Add new subsection as follows. Delete subsection - no
substitution.
PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENT:
SUPPORTING STATEMENT (S)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 1-1
Section
100.0 Scope
101.0 Matters covered
102.0 Ordinary repairs
103.0 Installation of service equipment
104.0 Maintenance
105.0 Change in existing use
106.0 Alterations and repairs
107.0 Building department
108.0 Duties and powers of the building official and
the state inspector
Table 1-1 Required minimum inspections and certification
for specified use groups
109.0 Rules and regulations
110.0 Variances
111.0 Inspection
112.0 Right of entry
113.0 Application for permit
114.0 Permits
115.0 Conditions of permit
116.0 Demolition of buildings
117.0 Removal of buildings
118.0 Fees
119.0 Fee computation
120.0 Certificate of use and occupancy
121.0 Posting buildings
122.0 Violations
123.0 Stop-work order
124.0 Unsafe buildings - survey board
125.0 Emergency measures
126.0 Board of appeals
127.0 Construction materials safety board
128.0 Controlled construction
129.0 Validity
ARTICLE 2 DEFINITIONS AND CLASSIFICATIONS 2-1
Section
200.0 Scope
201.0 General Definitions
202.0 Use group classification
203.0 Use group A, high hazard buildings
Table 2-1 Use group A, high hazard uses
204.0 Use group B, storage buildings
Table 2-2 Use group B-1, storage uses - moderate hazard
Table 2-3 Use group B-2 , storage uses - low hazard
205.0 Use group C, mercantile buildings
206.0 Use group D, industrial buildings
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 2 (cont.)
Section
Table 2-4 Use group D, industrial uses
207.0 Use group E, business buildings
208.0 Use group F, assembly buildings
209.0 Use group H, institutional buildings
210.0 Use group L, residential buildings
211.0 Use group M, miscellaneous uses
212.0 Doubtful use classification
213.0 Mixed use and occupancy
214.0 Construction classification
215.0 Type 1, fireproof construction
216.0 Type 2, noncombustible construction
217.0 Type 3, exterior masonry wall construction
218.0 Type 4, frame construction
Table 2-5 Fireresistance ratings of structural elements
in hours
Table 2-6 Height limitations (upper figure: stories and feet above
grade) and area limitations (lower figure: area in
square feet per floor per story) of buildings facing
on one street or public space not less than thirty
(30) feet wide
ARTICLE 3 GENERAL BUILDING LIMITATIONS
3-1
Section
300.0 Scope
301.0 Fire district subdivisions
302.0 General fire district provisions
303.0 Restrictions of fire district No. 1
304.0 Restrictions of fire district No. 2
305.0 Restrictions outside fire limits
306.0 Existing buildings
307.0 General area and height limitations
Table 3-1 Percent reduction in the area limits of Table 2-6
308.0 Area exceptions
309.0 Unlimited areas
310.0 Height exceptions
311.0 Street encroachments
312.0 Permissible street projections
313.0 Permissible yard and court encroachments
314.0 Special and temporary projections
315.0 Awnings and canopies
316.0 Subdivision of attic spaces
317.0 Temporary structures
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 4 SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS
4-1
Section
400.0
401.0
402.0
403.0
Table
4-3
4-1
Table 4-2
404.0
405.0
406.0
Table
407.0
408.0
409.0
410.0
411.0
412.0
413.0
414.0
415.0
416.0
417.0
418.0
419.0
420.0
421.0
422.0
423.0
Table
424.0
425.0
426.0
4-4
427.0
460.0
Scope
Definitions
Explosion Hazards
Volatile Flammables
Capacity of outside underground tanks for
volatile flammable liquids
Capacity of outside aboveground tanks for
volatile flammable liquids
Existing buildings
Liquefied petroleum gases
Pyroxylin plastics
Exposure distance for pyroxylin storage buildings
Use and storage of flammable film
Use and storage of combustible fibers
Combustible dusts, grain processing and storage
Paint and spray booths
Dry cleaning establishments
Private garages
Public garages
Motor fuel service stations
Motor vehicle repair shops
Places of public assembly
Public assembly other than theatres
Amusement parks
Stadiums and grandstands
Tents and other temporary structures
Radio and television towers
Swimming pools
Open parking structures
Height and limitation for open parking structures
Group residence in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Covered malls
Nursing homes, rest homes, charitable homes for the
aged, convalescent homes and hospitals
Day care centers (H-2)
Schoolhouse Buildings
Reference standards for article 4
ARTICLE 5 LIGHT AND VENTILATION
5-1
Section
500.0 Scope
501.0 Definitions
502.0 Plans and specifications
503.0 Standards of natural light
504.0 Standards of natural ventilation
505.0 Ventilation of institutional buildings for forced
detention
506.0 Existing buildings
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 5 (cont.)
Section
507.0 Standards of artificial light
508.0 Standards of mechanical ventilation
Fig. 5-1 Minimum outside air requirements for ventilation
and air-conditioning
509.0 Ventilation of special spaces
510.0 Ventilation of shafts other than elevator and
dumbwaiter hoistways
511.0 Industrial buildings with unpierced enclosure walls
512.0 Courts
513.0 Obstruction of courts and yards
514.0 Fire emergency ventilating system
515.0 Fire ventilation of open wells
516.0 Window cleaning safeguards
Reference standards for article 5
ARTICLE 6 MEANS OF EGRESS
6-1
Section
600.0 Scope
601.0 Definitions
602.0 Plans and specifications
603.0 Use and occupancy requirements
604.0 Air-conditioned buildings
605.0 Existing buildings
606.0 Occupancy load
Table 6-1 Floor area allowance per occupant
607.0 Types and location of exitways
Table 6-2 Maximum length of exitway access travel (feet)
608.0 Capacity of exits
Table 6-3 Capacity per unit egress width
609.0 Number of exitways
610.0 Exitway access passageways and corridors
611.0 Grade passageways and lobbies used as an exitway
element
612 . Means of egress doorways
613.0 Revolving exitway doors
Table 6-4 Minimum clear doorway widths
614.0 Horizontal exits
615.0 Exitway ramps
616.0 Interior exitway stairways
Table 6-5 Door construction
Table 6-6 Minimum standards for stairway and enclosure con-
struction
617.0 Access to roof
618.0 Smokeproof stairway enclosure
619.0 Exterior exitway stairways
620.0 Moving exitway stairways
621.0 Fire escapes
622.0 Slidescapes
623.0 Exitway signs and lights
624.0 Exitway lights
Reference standards for article 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 7 STRUCTURAL AND FOUNDATION LOADS AND STRESSES 7-1
Section
700.0 Scope
701.0 Definition
702.0 Design safe load
703.0 Test safe load
704.0 Design live load
705.0 Design dead load
706.0 Existing buildings
707.0 Unit live loads
Table 7-1 Minimum uniformly distributed live loads
708.0 Concentrated loads
Table 7-2 Concentrated loads
709.0 Impact loads
710.0 Special loads
711.0 Roof loads
Table 7-3 Minimum roof live loads
712.0 Snow load
713.0 Wind load
714.0 Wind on vertical surfaces
715.0 Wind load on roofs
716.0 Wind loads on signs, tanks and radio towers, chimneys
and other building appurtenances
717.0 Overturning and sliding
718.0 Earthquake load
719.0 Combined loading
720.0 Live load reduction
721.0 Allowable working stresses
722.0 Light weight metals
723.0 Bearing value of soils
Table 7-4 Presumptive bearing capacity of foundation materials
724.0 Subsurface explorations
725.0 Bearing test and settlement analyses
726.0 Allowable foundation pressure
727.0 Spread foundations
728.0 Footing design
* 729.0 Timber footings
730.0 Steel grillages
731.0 Unreinforced concrete footings
732.0 Masonry unit footings
733.0 Reinforced concrete footings
734.0 Floating foundations
735.0 Pile foundations
736.0 Corrosion protection
737.0 Allowable pile loads
738.0 Timber piles
739.0 Precast concrete piles
740.0 Cast-in-place concrete piles
741.0 Concrete filled pipe piles
742.0 Concrete-filled pipe with steel core
(drilled-in-caissons)
* Repealed on December 30, 1974
ARTICLE 7 (cont.) 7-1
Section
743.0 Structural steel piles
744.0 Composite piles
745,0 Special piles and caissons
746.0 Lateral support
747.0 Foundation piers
748.0 Design requirements for floodplains and coastal high
hazard areas
Fig. 7-1 Map of design snow load
Fig. 7-2a Design snow loads
Fig. 7-2b Simple gable and hip roofs
Fig. 7-2c Simple arch and curved roofs
Fig. 7-3a Valley areas of two-span and multiple series sloped
or curved roofs
Fig. 7-3b Lower level of multi -level roofs (when upper roof is
part of same building or on an adjacent building
not more than 5 feet away)
Fig. 7-4 Roofs subject to snow loads from sliding
Fig. 7-5 Map of design wind load zones
Fig. 7-6 Glass thickness
Fig. 7-7 Penetration resistance requirements for medium and fine
sands subjected to earthquakes for safety against
liquefaction
Fig. 7-8 Permissible thicknesses and depths of soils that are
susceptible to liquefaction
Fig. 7-9 Determination of soil factor S
Reference standards for article 7
ARTICLE 8 Part A MATERIAL AND TESTS . 8-1
Section
800.0 Scope
801.0 Definitions
802.0 Basic classification of construction materials
803.0 Tests
804.0 Conditions of acceptance
805.0 Approvals
806.0 Masonry construction units
807.0 Brick units
808.0 Structural clay tile units
809.0 Glazed masonry units
810.0 Concrete units
811.0 Gypsum units
812.0 Structural glass block units
813.0 Architectural terra cotta
814.0 Natural stone
815.0 Case stone
816.0 Mortar for masonry
817.0 Concrete aggregates
818.0 Readymix concrete
819.0 Structural wood glues
820.0 Interior lathing and plastering
821.0 Exterior lathing and stucco
822.0 Plastering materials
823.0 Plaster bases
824.0 Fiber boards
825.0 plywood
Qoa. n I.Tol 1 T-ir>ai-rl c anrl qVi pa thl n O
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 8 Part B STEEL, MASONRY, CONCRETE, GYPSUM AND LUMBER
CONSTRUCTION
Section
827.0 Structural steel construction
828.0 Formed steel construction
829.0 Open web steel joists
830.0 Reinforcing steel
831.0 Cast steel construction
832.0 Cast iron construction
833.0 Special steels
834.0 Light weight metal alloys
835.0 Masonry wall construction
836.0 Bonding of walls
837.0 Lateral bracing of walls
838.0 Chases and recesses in bearing walls
839.0 Corbeled and projected masonry
840.0 Bearing on hollow unit walls
841.0 Plain concrete
842.0 Reinforced concrete
843.0 Structural cinder concrete
844.0 Short span floor filling
845.0 Concrete-filled pipe columns
846.0 Pneumatic concrete
847.0 Minimum concrete dimensions
848.0 Reinforced Gypsum concrete
849.0 Reinforced brickwork
850.0 Reinforced hollow block construction
851.0 Lumber and timber construction
852.0 Hea-vy timber type construction
853.0 Wood frame construction
854.0 Stress skin panels
855.0 Structural glued laminated timber and built-up
wood construction
ARTICLE 8 Part C BUILDING ENCLOSURES, WALLS AND WALL THICKNESS
Section
856.0 Enclosure walls
857.0 Protection of wall openings
Table 8-1 Requirements for glass panels subject to Impact loads
858.0 Fire access panels
859.0 Structural glass block walls
860.0 Wall facings and veneers
861.0 Structural glass veneers
862.0 Thin stone and tile veneers
863.0 Metal veneers
864.0 Plastic veneers
865.0 Thickness of solid masonry walls
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 8 Part C (cont.)
Section
866.0 Thickness of panel walls
867.0 Thickness of parapet walls
868.0 Foundation walls
869.0 Retaining walls
870.0 Isolated piers
871.0 Waterproofing
872.0 Ratproofing
873.0 Protection against decay and termites
874.0 Fire protection and firestopping
875.0 Thermal insulating materials
Reference standards for article 8 - Part A, B, C
ARTICLE 9 FIRERESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS 9-1
Section
900.0 Scope
901.0 Definitions
902.0 Fire hazard classification
903.0 Fireresistance tests
Table 9-1 Fire grading of use groups
904.0 Flameresistance, tests
Table 9-2 Flame-spread rating
905.0 Special fireresistance requirements
906.0 Enclosure walls
907.0 Fire wall and party walls
908.0 Fire wall openings
909.0 Fire partitions
910,0 Fireresistive partitions
911.0 Vertical shafts and hoistways
912.0 Wall lintels
913.0 Beams and girders
914.0 Columns
915.0 Trusses
916.0 Exterior opening protectives
917.0 Fire doors
918.0 Fire windows and shutters
919.0 Wired glass
920.0 Fireresistive requirements for plaster
921.0 Firestopping
922.0 Interior finish and trim
Table 9-3 Interior finish requirements
923.0 Application of interior finish
924.0 Combustible materials permitted in floor construc-
tion of Type 1 and Type 2 buildings
925.0 Decorative material restrictions
926.0 Exterior trim restrictions
927.0 Roof structures
928.0 Roof coverings
Reference standards for article 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 10 CHIMNEYS, FLUES AND VENT PIPES 10-1
Section
1000.0 Scope
1001.0 Definitions
1002.0 Plans and specifications
1003.0 Performance test and acceptance criteria
1004.0 Kinds of chimneys
1005.0 Appliances requiring chimneys
1006.0 Existing buildings
1007.0 Factory-built chimneys
1008.0 Masonry chimneys
1009.0 Metal chimneys
1010.0 Chimney connector (smokepipes)
1011.0 Vent systems
1012.0 Fireplaces
1013.0 Cupola chimneys
1014.0 Fuel-fired incinerator chimneys
1015.0 Miscellaneous incinerator flues
1016.0 Duct and pipe shafts
1017.0 Construction of metal ducts and vents
Tbl. 10-1 Metal duct and vent construction, other than dwellings
Tbl. 10-2 Ducts for dwellings
1018.0 Spark arrestors
Reference standards for article 10
ARTICLE 11 HEATING EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES - MOUNTING, CLEARANCES
AND CONNECTIONS 11-1
Section
1100.0 Scope
1101.0 Definitions
1102.0 Plans and specifications
1103.0 Boiler and unfired pressure vessels
1104.0 Smoke abatement
1105.0 Industrial heating appliance classification
1106.0 Fireresistance requirements for heat appliance
foundations
1107.0 Mounting exceptions for heat appliances
1108.0 Mounting exceptions for house heating appliances
1109.0 Mounting exceptions for restaurant appliances
1110.0 Mounting exceptions for domestic appliances
1111.0 Side and top clearances
1112.0 Clearance exceptions
Tbl. 11-1 Reduced wall and ceiling clearances
1113.0 Boiler rooms
1114.0 Ash pits and bins
1115.0 Steam and hot water pipes
1116.0 Heating panels
1117.0 Hot and cold air ducts
1118.0 Warm air heating systems
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 11 (cont.)
Section
1119.0
1120.0
1121.0
1122.0
1123.0
1124.0
1125.0
1126.0
1127.0
1128.0
1129.0
1130.0
1131.0
1132.0
1133.0
1134.0
Tbl. 11-
Tbl. 11-
1135.0
Central recirculating systems
Flammable vapor systems
Unit heaters
Floor furnaces
Industrial furnaces and power boilers
Unfired pressure vessels
Restaurant cooking appliances
Hot water supply heaters
Oil burners
Drying rooms
Non-fuel-fired incinerators
Fuel-fired incinerators
Miscellaneous refuse incinerators
Refuse chutes
Refuse vaults
Blower and exhaust systems
Thickness of steel sheet exhaust ducts in U.S
standard gage
Clearance of exhaust ducts in inches
Dust , stock and refuse conveyor systems
Reference standards for article 11
ARTICLE 12 FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE-EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT
12-1
12-
12-
Section
1200.0
1201.0
1202.0
1203.0
1204.0
1205.0
1206.0
Tbl.
Tbl.
1207.0
1208.0
1209.0
1210.0
1211.0
1212.0
Tbl. 12-
1213.0
1214.0
1215.0
1216.0
1217.0
1218.0
Scope
Definitions
Plans and specifications
Acceptance tests
Periodic inspections and tests
Existing buildings and fire service equipment
Wet standpipe requirements
1 Conditions requiring standpipes
2 Minimum standpipe size
Standpipe water supplies
Dry standpipe fire lines
First-aid standpipe fire lines
Horizontal fire lines
Pier and wharf protection
Automatic sprinkler systems
3 Conditions requiring sprinklers
Sprinkler water supplies
Dry pipe automatic systems
Non-automatic sprinkler systems
Special fire protection
Manual fire-extinguishing equipment
Fire alarm systems
Reference standards for article 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 13 PRECAUTIONS DURING BUILDING OPERATIONS
13-1
Section
1300.0 Scope
1301.0 Plans, specifications and special permits
1302.0 Tests
1303.0 Inspection
1304.0 Existing buildings
1305.0 Protection of public and workmen
1306.0 Excavations
1307.0 Regulation of lots
1308.0 Retaining walls and partition fences
1309.0 Storage of materials
1310.0 Removal of waste material
1311.0 Protection of adjoining property
1312.0 Scaffolds
1313.0 Stairways and ladders
1314.0 Fire hazards
1315.0 Disputes
ARTICLE 14 SIGNS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY STRUCTURES
14-1
Section
1400.0 Scope
1401.0 Definitions
1402.0 Plans, specifications and permits
1403.0 Exemptions
1404.0 Unsafe and unlawful signs
1405.0 Maintenance and inspection
1406.0 Existing signs
1407.0 Registration and identification
1408.0 General requirements for all signs
1409.0 Ground signs
1410.0 Roof signs
1411.0 Wall signs
1412.0 Projecting signs
1413.0 Marquee signs
1414.0 Miscellaneous and temporary signs
1415.0 Illuminated signs
Reference standards for article 14
ARTICLE 15 ELECTRICAL WIRING AND FIXTURES
15-1
ARTICLE 16 ELEVATOR, DUMBWAITER, ESCALATOR, AND MOVING
WALK REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 17 PLUMBING, DRAINAGE AND GAS PIPING
16-1
17-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 18 AIR CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION AND MECHANICAL
VENTILATION
18-1
Section
1800.0 Scope
1801.0 Definitions
1802.0 Plans, specifications and permits
1803.0 Tests
1804.0 Inspections and certificates
1805.0 Operation and Maintenance
1806.0 Existing buildings and installations
1807.0 Use of refrigerants
1808.0 Heating and cooling equipment
1809.0 Plumbing and water connections
1810.0 Automatic fire doors and dampers
1811.0 Inlet and outlet openings
1812.0 Ducts, linings and coverings
Reference standards for article 18
ARTICLE 19 MANUFACTURED BUILDINGS, BUILDING COMPONENTS AND MOBILE
HOMES 19-1
Section
1900.0 Scope
1901.0 Definitions
1902.0 Certification
1903.0 Reciprocity
1904.0 Inspection
1905.0 Mobile homes
1906.0 Manufactured buildings and building components
other than mobile homes
1907.0 Suspension and revocation of certification
1908.0 Appeals procedure
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MANUFACTURED BUILDINGS,
BUILDING COMPONENTS AND MOBILE HOMES
ARTICLE 20 LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PLASTIC CONSTRUCTION
20-1
Section
2000.0 Scope
2001.0 Definitions
2002.0 Design and installation
2003.0 Glazing of unprotected openings
2004.0 Exterior wall panels
Tbl. 20-1 Area limitation and separation requirements for
plastic wall panels
2005.0 Roof panels
2006.0 Skylight assemblies
2007.0 Light-diffusing systems
2008.0 Partitions
2009.0 Bathroom accessories
Reference standards for article 20
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 21 BUILDING CODE PROVISIONS FOR ONE AND TWO-FAMILY
DWELLINGS
21-1
Section
2100.0
Table 2100-1
Figure 2100-1
2101.0
Table 2101-1
Table 2101-2
2102.0
Figure 2102-1
Figure 2102-2
Table 2102-1
Table 2102-2
Table 2102-3
Table 2102-4
Table 2102-5
Figure 2102-3
2103.0
Table
2103-1
Table
2103-2
Table
2103-3
Table
2103-4
Table
2103-5
Table
2103-6
Table
2103-7
Figure 2103-1
Table
2103-8
2104.0
Table
2104-1
Table
2104-2
Table
2104-3
Table 2104-4
Table 2104-5
Building Planning
Glazing requirements
Stair detail
Foundations
Minimum thickness and allowable depth of
unbalanced fill for unreinforced masonry
and concrete basement walls where unstable
soil or ground water conditions do not exist
Reinforcement required for basement walls subjected .
to not more than 30 pounds per square foot
equivalent fluid pressure
Wall construction
Structural framing details
Wall framing details
Fastener schedule for structural members
Maximum allowable spans for headers supporting
wood frame walls
Plywood wall sheathing
Allowable span for masonry walls between lateral
supports
Allowable span for masonry and steel lintels
supporting masonry walls
Anchorage requirements for masonry walls located
where wind loads are less than 30 P. S. F.
Wall covering
Maximum spacing of supports for lath
Maximum spacing of fasteners for support of lath
Thickness of plaster
Gypsum plaster proportions
Portland cement plaster
Application of gypsum wallboard
Weather-resistant siding attachment
Masonry veneered wall
Allowable span for lintels supporting masonry
veneer
Floors
Allowable spans for floor joists
Allowable spans for floor joists
Allowable span for girders supporting one floor
only
Allowable span for girders and required size of
columns and footings to support roofs, interior
bearing partitions and floors
Allowable spans for plywood floor and roof sheathing
continuous over two or more spans and face grain
perpendicular to supports
ARTICLE 21 (cont.)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Table 2104-6
Table 2104-7
Figure 2104-1
2105.0
Table 2105-1
Table 2105-2
Table 2105-3
Table 2105-4
Table 2105-5
Table 2105-6
Table 2105-7
Table 2105-8
Table 2105-9
Table 2105-10
Table 2105-11
Table 2105-12
Table 2105-13
Table 2105-14
Table 2105-15
Table 2105-16
Table 2105-17
Table 2105-18
Table 2105-19
Table 2105-20
Figure 2105-1
2106.0
Table 2106-1
2107.0
Figure 2107-1
Table 2107-1
2108.0
2109.0
Table 2109-1
Table 2109-2
2110.0
Table 2110-1
2111.0
2112.0
2113.0
2114.0
Table 2114-1
Minimum thickness for plywood combination subfloor-
underlajmient plywood continuous over two or more
spans and face grain perpendicular to supports
Minimum thickness of floor sheathing
Floor construction details
Roof-ceiling construction
Allowable spans for ceiling joists
Allowable spans for ceiling joists
Allowable spans for ceiling joists
Allowable spans for ceiling joists
Allowable spans for low or high slope rafters
Allowable span for low or high slope rafters
Allowable span for low or high slope rafters
Allowable spans for low or high slope rafters
Allowable span for low or high slope rafters
Allowable span for low or high slope rafters
Allowable span for low slope rafters
Allowable span for low slope rafters
Allowable span for low slope rafters
Allowable span for high slope rafters
Allowable span for high slope rafters
Allowable span for high slope rafters
Allowable span for high slope rafters
Allowable span for high slope rafters
Allowable span for high slope rafters
Required purlin size based on rafter span
Roof and support framing
Roof coverings
Roof coverings
Chimneys and fireplaces
Fireplace construction details
Minimum flue area for masonry chimneys connected
to fireplaces
Mechanical, definitions
Equipment general
Standard installation clearances heat-producing
appliances
Maximum reduced clearances (inches) with specified
forms of protection
Combustion air
Appliance room combustion air requirements in cold
climates (tight construction)
Warm-air furnaces
Vented decorative appliances, floor furnaces, vented
wall furnaces and vented room heaters
Venting of appliances
Ducts
Gages or metal ducts and plenums used for comfort
heating or cooling for a dwelling unit
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 21 (cont.)
Section
Table 2114-2 Insulation of ducts
Table 2114-3 Metal duct supports
2115.0 Comfort cooling
2116.0 Absorption units and absorption systems for
comfort cooling and comfort heating
2117.0 Fuel supply systems
Reference standards for article 21
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPENDICES A-1
APPENDIX A ACCREDITED AUTHORITATIVE AGENCIES
APPENDIX B ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE
APPENDIX C MATERIAL STANDARDS
APPENDIX D STRUCTURAL UNIT TEST STANDARDS
APPENDIX E STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY TEST STANDARDS
APPENDIX F DURABILITY TEST STANDARDS
APPENDIX G FIRE TEST AND FLAME SPREAD TEST STANDARDS
APPENDIX H FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS
APPENDIX I UNIT DESIGN DEAD LOADS FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN PURPOSES
APPENDIX J UNIT WORKING STRESSES FOR ORDINARY MATERIALS
APPENDIX K SPECIALIZED CODES
APPENDIX L LIST OF AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS ON THE
TECHNICAL CODE COUNCIL
ARTICLE 1
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 100.0 SCOPE
100.1 TITLE: These regulations shall be known as the Conmonwealth
of Massachusetts State Building Code hereinafter referred to as the
Basic Code. In accordance with C. 802, of the Acts of 1972 as amend-
ed, these regulations shall control; a) the construction, reconstruc-
tion, alteration, repair, demolition, removal, inspection, issuance
and revocation of permits or licenses, installation of equipment,
classification and definition of any building or structure and use
or occupancy of all buildings and structures and parts thereof or
classes of buildings and structures and parts thereof; b) the
rehabilitation and maintenance of existing buildings; c) the
standards or requirements for materials to be used in connection
therewith, including but not limited to provisions for safety, in-
gress and egress, energy conservation and sanitary conditions;
d) the establishment of reasonable fees for the issuance of licenses
and permits in connection therewith; except as such matters are
otherwise provided for in the Massachusetts General Laws Annotated,
or in the rules and regulations authorized for promulgation under
the provisions of the Basic Code.
100.2 APPLICATION OF REFERENCES: Unless otherwise specifically
provided in the Basic Code, all references to article or section
numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number,
shall be construed to refer to such article, section or provision
of the Basic Code.
100.3 CODE REMEDIAL: The Basic Code shall be construed to secure
its expressed intent which is to insure public safety, health and
welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction,
through structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary
conditions, equipment, light and ventilation and fire safety; and
in general, to secure safety to life and property and community
from all hazards incident to the design, erection, repair, removal,
demolition or use and occupancy of buildings, structures, or prem-
ises. The intent of the Basic Code is also to effect the establish-
ment of uniform standards and requirements for construction and
construction materials, compatible with accepted standards of en-
gineering and fire prevention practices and public safety; the
adoption of modern technical methods, devices and improvements which
may reduce the cost of construction without affecting the health,
safety, and security of the occupants or users of buildings; the
elimination of restrictive, obsolete, conflicting and unnecessary
building regulations and requirements which may increase the cost
of construction and maintenance over the life of the building, or
1-1
retard unnecessarily the use of new materials, or which may provide
unwarranted preferential treatment of types of classes of materials,
products or methods of construction without affecting the health,
safety, and security of the occupants or users of buildings.
100.4 SPECIALIZED CODES: Specialized codes, rules or regulations
pertaining to building construction, reconstruction, alteration,
repair, or demolition promulgated, and as amended from time to time,
by the various authorized state agencies shall be incorporated in
the Basic Code. The said specialized codes, rules or regulations
include, but are not limited to, those listed in appendix K.
100.5 TECHNICAL CODE COUNCIL: The Technical Code Council is com-
prised of representatives from each of the state agencies having
jurisdiction over the specialized codes including those cited in
section 100.4, and listed in appendix K, and serves as an advi-
sory board to the State Building Code Commission, herein referred
to as the Commission, on matters related to uniformity of rules
and regulations governing building construction and the establish-
ment of uniform procedures relative to their administration and
enforcement. Members of the Technical Code Council are listed in
appendix L.
SECTION 101.0 MATTERS COVERED
The provisions of the Basic Code shall apply to all buildings and
structures and their appurtenant constructions, including vaults,
area and street projections and accessory additions; and shall apply
with equal force to municipal, county, state, authorities established
by the legislature and private buildings and structures; except where
such buildings and structures are otherwise specifically provided for
by statute.
101.1 EXEMPTIONS: No building or structure shall be constructed,
extended, repaired, removed, demolished, or altered in violation
of these provisions, except for ordinary repairs as defined in
section 102 .
101.2 MATTERS NOT COVERED.
101.21 PROPOSED BUILDINGS: Any requirement essential for struc-
tural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary conditions,
equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety of a proposed
building or structure at the plan review stage and which is not
specifically covered by the Basic Code, shall be determined by
the State Building Code Commission.
101.22 EXISTING BUILDINGS AND BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION: The
building official shall determine any requirement which is not
specifically covered by the Basic Code and which is essential for
1-2
structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary conditions,
equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety of existing
buildings and structures or buildings and structures under con-
struction. The Commission and the Department of Public Safety shall
be notified in writing within seven (7) working days of any action
taken under this section.
101.3 ZONING RESTRICTIONS: When the provisions herein specified
for structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary
conditions, equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety
conflict with the local zoning by-laws or ordinances, the Basic
Code shall control the erection or alteration of buildings.
SECTION 102.0 ORDINARY REPAIRS
Ordinary repairs to buildings and structures may be made without
application or notice to the building official; but such repairs
shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or
portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or
bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of
egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the
exitway requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition
to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe,
water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent
or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work
affecting public health or general safety.
SECTION 103.0 INSTALLATION OF SERVICE EQUIPMENT
When the installation, extension, alteration or repair of an
elevator, moving stairway, mechanical equipment, refrigeration, air
conditioning or ventilating apparatus, plumbing, gas piping,
electric wiring, heating system or any other equipment is specifi-
cally controlled by the provisions of the Basic Code or the approved
rules, it shall be unlawful to use such equipment until a certi-
ficate of approval has been issued therefor by the building offi-
cial or other municipal or state agency having jurisdiction.
SECTION 104.0 MAINTENANCE
All buildings and structures and all parts thereof shall be main-
tained in a safe and sanitary condition. All service equipment,
means of egress, devices and safeguards which are required by the
Basic Code in a building or structure shall be maintained in good
working order. Any requirement necessary for the safety of the
occupants thereof, not specifically covered by the Basic Code shall
be determined by the building official.
1-3
104.1 OWNER RESPONSIBILITY: The owner, as defined in article 2,
or his designated agent shall be responsible for the safe and
sanitary maintenance of the building or structure and its exit-
way facilities at all times, unless otherwise specifically pro-
vided in the Basic Code.
SECTION 105.0 CHANGE IN EXISTING USE
105.1 CONTINUATION OF EXISTING USE: The legal use and occupancy
of any structure existing on January 1, 1975, or for which it had
been heretofore approved, may be continued without change, except
as may be specifically covered in the Basic Code or as may be
deemed necessary by the building official for the general safety
and welfare of the occupants and the public .
105.2 CHANGE IN USE AND OCCUPANCY: It shall be unlawful to make
any change in the use or occupancy of any structure or parts there-
of without the building official having issued a certificate of
use and occupancy indicating that such structure complies with
the provisions of the Basic Code for the proposed new use or occu-
pancy and that such change does not result in any greater hazard to
public safety or welfare.
105.3 PART CHANGE IN USE: If a portion of the building is changed
in occupancy or to a new use group and that portion is separated
from the remainder of the building with the required vertical and
horizontal fire division complying with the fire grading in table
9-1, then the construction involved in the change shall be made to
conform to the requirements of the Basic Code for the new use and
occupancy and the existing portion shall be made to comply with
the exitway requirements of the Basic Code.
105.4 REESTABLISHMENT OF A PRIOR USE: After an approved change
of use has been made to a building or parts thereof, the reestab-
lishment of a prior use that is not legal to a new building or
parts thereof of the same type of construction, is prohibited unless
all the applicable provisions of the Basic Code have been met.
SECTION 106.0 ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS
Except as provided in this section, existing buildings or struc-
tures when altered or repaired as herein specified shall be made
to conform to the full requirements of the Basic Code for new
buildings :
106.1 ALTERATIONS EXCEEDING FIFTY PERCENT: If alterations or
repairs are made within any period of twelve (12) months, costing
in excess of fifty (50) percent of the physical value of the build-
ing; or
1-4
106.2 DAMAGES EXCEEDING FIFTY PERCENT: If the building is damaged by
fire or any other cause to an extent in excess of fifty (50) percent of
the physical value of the building before the damage was incurred.
106.3 ALTERATION UNDER FIFTY PERCENT: If the cost of alterations or
repairs described herein is between twenty-five (25) and fifty (50)
percent of the physical value of the building, the building official
shall determine to what degree the portions so altered or repaired shall
be made to conform to the requirements for new buildings:
106.4 ALTERATION UNDER TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT: If the cost of alterations
or repairs described herein is twenty-five (25) percent or less of the
physical value of the building, the building official shall permit the
restoration of the building to its condition previous to damage or
deterioration with the same kind of materials as those of which the
building was constructed; provided that such construction does not
endanger the general safety and public welfare and complies with the
provisions of article 9 in respect to existing roofs.
106.5 PHYSICAL VALUE: In applying the provisions of this section, the
physical value of the building, at the option of the owner, shall be
based on the assessed value of the building as recorded in the assessor's
office of the municipality or on the basis of the current replacement
cost of the building less physical deterioration, provided that satisfactory
evidence of the current replacement cost less physical deterioration is
submitted to the building official for his approval.
SECTION 107.0 BUILDING DEPARTMENT
107.1 BUILDING COMMISSIONER OR INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS: The building
department shall have an administrative chief responsible for the
administration and enforcement of the Basic Code who shall be known as
the building commissioner or inspector of buildings.
107.11 LOCAL INSPECTOR: The local inspector shall assist the building
commissioner or inspector of buildings in the performance of his duties
and shall also be responsible for the enforcement of the Basic Code.
107.12 ALTERNATE INSPECTOR: An alternate inspector of buildings may be
appointed to act in the disability of the inspector of buildings in case
of illness, absence, or conflict of interest. The alternate inspector
shall meet the qualifications of section 107.4.
107.2 APPOINTMENT: The chief administrative officer of each city or
town shall employ and designate an inspector of buildings or building
commissioner, as well as such other local inspectors as are reasonably
necessary. The inspector of buildings or building commissioner shall
report directly and be solely responsible to the appointing authority.
1-5
107.3 OTHER PERSONNEL: The building commissioner or inspector
of buildings may appoint such other personnel as shall be nec-
essary for the administration of the Basic Code and as authorized
by the appointing authority.
107.4 QUALIFICATIONS OF THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER OR INSPECTOR
OF BUILDINGS: Each building commissioner or inspector of build-
ings shall have had at least five (5) years of experience in
the supervicion of building construction or design or in the
alternative a four-year undergraduate degree in a field related
to building construction or design. In addition, such persons
shall have had general knowledge of the accepted requirements
for building construction, fire prevention, light, ventilation
and safe exits; and a general knowledge of other equipment and
material essential for safety, comfort, and convenience of the
occupants of the building or structure; plus whatever require-
ments of experience and knowledge that are deemed necessary
by the mxinicipality.
107.5 QUALIFICATIONS OF THE LOCAL INSPECTOR: Each local in-
spector shall have had at least five (5) years of experience
in the supervision of building construction or design or, in
the alternative a two-year associate degree in a field related
to building construction or design. In addition, such persons
shall have a general knowledge of the quality and strength of
building materials; a general knowledge of the accepted re-
quirements for building construction; fire prevention, light,
ventilation and safe exits; and materials essential for safety,
comfort, and convenience of the occupants of a building or
structure; plus whatever requirements of experience and knowl-
edge that are deemed necessary by the municipality.
107.6 CERTIFICATION: The Department of Community Affairs shall
offer a certification program for building officials and shall
issue a certificate to those who satisfactorily complete said
program.
107.6 TRAINING: The Department of Community Affairs shall
offer a continuing educational program designed to assist all
building officials and state inspectors in executing their
responsibilities as defined herein. Regular attendance at
these programs shall be required of all building officials and
state inspectors and no building official or state inspector who
attends such course of instruction shall lose any relghts rela-
tive to compensation or vacation time.
107.8 RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYLOYEES : No full-time building
commissioner, inspector of buildings, or full-time local in-
spector as defined herein shall be engaged in, or directly or
indirectly connected with, the furnishing of labor, materials
or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance
of a building or structure, or the preparation of plans or of
1-6
specifications therefor, unless he is the owner of the building or
structure; nor shall any officer or employee associated with the building
department engage in any work which conflicts with his official duties
or with the interests of the department.
107.9 RELIEF FROM PERSONAL LIABILITY: Insofar as the law allows,
while acting for the municipality, the building official, charged
with the enforcement of the Basic Code shall not be deemed personally
liable in the discharge of his official duties.
SECTION 108.0 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND
THE STATE INSPECTOR
108.1 THE BUILDING OFFICIAL: The building commissioner or inspector of
buildings and the local inspector shall enforce all the provisions of
the Basic Code and any other applicable state statutes, rules and regulations,
or ordinances and by-laws, and act on any question relative to the mode
or manner of construction, and the materials to be used in the construction,
reconstruction, alteration, repair, demolition, removal, installation of
equipment, and the location use, occupancy, and maintenance of all
buildings and structures, including any building or structure owned by
any authority, except as may otherwise be specifically provided for by
statutory requirements or as herein provided.
108.11 APPLICATIONS AND PERMITS: The building official shall receive
applications and issue permits for the construction, reconstruction,
alteration, repair, demolition, removal, and installation of equipment,
and inspect the premises for which such permits have been issued and
enforce compliance with the Basic Code provisions.
108.12 BUILDING NOTICES AND ORDERS: The building official shall issue
all necessary notices or orders to remove illegal or unsafe conditions,
to require the necessary safeguards during construction, to require
adequate exitway facilities in new and existing buildings and structures,
and to insure compliance with all the code requirements for the safety,
health and general welfare of the public.
108.13 NEW MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION: The building official
shall accept duly authenticated reports from the Commission on all new
materials and methods of construction proposed for use which are not
specifically provided for in the Basic Code. Wherever there is insufficient
evidence that any material or method of construction conforms to the
requirements of the Basic Code or there is insufficient evidence to
substantiate claims for alternative materials or construction, the
building official may require tests nieeting the functional requirements
of the Basic Code, and such tests shall be conducted by a laboratory
and/or personnel approved by the Commission. The costs of all such
tests or other investigations required under these provisions shall be
paid by the applicant.
1-7
108.131 TEST RESULTS: Copies of the results of all such tests shall be
forwarded to the Commission within ten (10) days and shall be kept on
file in the permanent records of the building department.
108.132 RETESTING: The Commission may require tests to be repeated, if
at any time there is reason to believe that material or construction no
longer conforms to the requirements on which its approval was based.
108.14 INSPECTIONS: The building official shall make all the required
inspections, or he may accept reports of inspections from a qualified
registered professional engineer or architect or others certified by the
Commission, and all reports of such inspections shall be in writing; or
the building official may engage such expert as he may deem necessary to
report upon unusual technical issues that may arise.
108.15 INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION - SPECIFIED USE GROUPS: The building
official shall periodically inspect and certify buildings and structures
or parts thereof in use groups F, H, L-1, and L-2, according to Table 1-1.
No certificate of inspection as herein specified shall be issued until
an inspection is made certifying that the building or structure, or parts
thereof, complies with all the applicable requirements of the Basic
Code, and until the fee is paid as specified on Table 1-1. A copy of
said certificate shall be kept posted as specified in section 121.2.
108.16 ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES: The building commissioner or inspector
of buildings shall have the authority to formulate administrative pro-
cedures necessary to uniformly administer and enforce the Basic Code,
provided that such procedures do not conflict with the rules and regu-
lations promulgated by the Commission in the Basic Code or pursuant
thereto.
108.17 DEPARTMENT RECORDS: The building official shall keep in a
public place and open to public inspection during normal working hours
official records of applications received, permits and certificates
issued, fees collected, reports of inspections, variances grated, and
notices and orders issued. File copies of all papers in connection with
building operations shall be retained in the official records so long as
the building or structure to which they relate remains in existence.
108.18 REPORTS: The building official shall submit the following
reports:
a) to the Department of Community Affairs on a form provided by
said department a report of the building permit activity for
the month;
b) to the chief administrative officer of the municipality a
written statement of all permits and certificates issued, fees
collected, inspections made, and notices and orders issued for
the year;
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c) to the Commission and Department of Public Safety reports
on decisions regarding the matters not covered as speci-
fied in section 101.22; and
d) to the assessors of the municipality reports on permits
issued as specified in section 114.11.
108.2 THE STATE INSPECTOR: In every city and town the Basic
Code shall be enforced by the state inspector as to any struc-
tures or buildings or parts thereof that are owned by the Com-
monwealth or any departments, commissions, agencies, or authori-
ties of the Commonwealth. The state inspector shall have as
to such buildings and structures all the powers of a building
commissioner or inspector of buildings.
108.21 OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: The state inspector may review
any order or decision of the building official. He shall super-
vise the enforcement of the Basic Code, make periodic reviews
of all building inspection practices of the local building de-
partment, make recommendations for improvements of such practices,
and report in writing his findings to the building official.
108.22 REVIEW BY THE COMMISSIONER: The Commissioner of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Safety shall
establish districts which shall be supervised by a state inspec-
tor of the Division of Inspection. The Commissioner may review,
on his own initiative or on the application of any state inspec-
tor, any action or refusal or failure of action by any building
official the result of which does not comply with the uniform
implementation of the Basic Code; and may reverse, modify or
annul, in whole or in part, such action except with respect to
the specialized codes, provided that no order or action of the
Commissioner shall reverse, modify, annul, or contravene any
order, action, determination, interpretation or any decision by
the Commission or the State Building Code Appeals Board.
108.23 REPORTS: The state inspector shall file with the Commis-
sion reports of his periodic reviews and recommendations for
improvements of building inspection practices. The format and
due dates for these reports shall be determined by the Commission.
SECTION 109.0 RULES AND REGULATIONS
109.1 RULE MAKING AUTHORITY: Under authority granted by Chapter
802, Acts of 1972, as amended, the Commission is empowered in
the interest of public safety, health and general welfare, to
adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to interpret and
implement the provisions of the Basic Code to secure the intent
thereof and to establish applicable requirements due to local
climatic or other conditions.
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109.11 LICENSING OF CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISORS: Effective January 1,
1976, any individual directly supervising persons engaged in construc-
tion, reconstruction, alterations, repairs, removal or demolition
involving the structural elements of buildings and structures shall be
licensed according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the
Commission entitled "RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR LICENSING CONSTRUCTION
SUPERVISORS." No city or town shall be prohibited from requiring such
licensing of construction supervisors from January 1, 1975 through
December 31, 1975.
109.12 LICENSING OF LABORATORIES AND TEST PERSONNEL: The Commission
shall issue rules and regulations for the licensing of individuals,
laboratories, and firms responsible for the testing of materials,
devices and methods of construction, as provided in section 127.1.
109.13 MANUFACTURED BUILDINGS: The Commission shall issue rules and
regulations pursuant to article 19 governing manufactured buildings and
building components.
109.14 MOBILE HOMES: The commission shall issue rules and regulations
pursuant to article 19 governing mobile homes.
109.2 ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE: In the absence of approved rules,
the regulations, specifications and standards listed in the appropriate
article or in the appendices shall be deemed to represent accepted
engineering practice with respect to the material, equipment, system or
method of construction therein specified.
109.3 AMENDMENTS AND PROMULGATION OF RULES: Any person may propose
amendments to the Basic Code. Public hearings shall be held in the city
of Boston in May and October of each year, and at such other times and
places as the Commission may determine, to consider petitions for such
amendments. Amendments adopted by the Commission shall be binding and
have the full force and effect of law in all cities and towns.
SECTION 110.0 VARIANCES
When there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out struc-
tural or mechanical provisions of the Basic Code, the board of appeals
may allow a variance or a modification from such provisions as applied
for by the owner as provided in section 126.0, provided that the decision
of the board shall not conflict with the general objectives of the Basic
Code and its enabling legislation and provided that no decision shall be
considered by any person or agency as a precedent for future decisions.
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SECTION 111.0 INSPECTION
111.1 PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONS: Before issuing a permit, the build-
ing official may examine or cause to be examined all buildings,
structures and sites for which an application has been filed for
a permit to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, demolish
or change the use thereof.
111.2 NEW BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
111.21 INSPECTION: The building official shall make all required
inspections as specified in the provisions of the Basic Code and
he shall conduct such inspections from time to time during and
upon completion of the work for which he has issued a permit; and
he shall maintain a record of all such examinations and inspec-
tions and of all violations of the Basic Code. In conjunction
with specific construction projects the building official may
designate specific inspection points in the course of construc-
tion that require the contractor or builder to give the building
official twenty-four (24) hours notice prior to the time when those
inspections need to be performed. The building official shall make
the inspection within forty-eight (48) hours after such notification.
111.3 MANUFACTURED BUILDINGS
111.31 PLANT INSPECTION: Inspection of all manufactured build-
ings, building components, and mobile homes at the plant shall
be performed by a third party which shall be certified and ap-
proved by the Commission and monitored by the Department of
Public Safety as specified in article 19 and the rules and regu-
lations pursuant thereto.
111.32 SITE INSPECTION: Inspection of all manufactured build-
ings, building components, and mobile homes at the installa-
tion site shall be made by the building official as specified
in article 19 and the rules and regulations pursuant thereto.
111.4 EXISTING BUILDINGS.
111.41 PERIODIC INSPECTIONS: The building commissioner or in-
spector of buildings shall develop plans for the systematic
periodic inspection of all existing buildings and structures
and shall cause such buildings and structures to be periodically
or otherwise inspected as specified in section 108.15 and section 121.4,
for compliance with the Basic Code.
111.42 CHANGES OF OCCUPANTS: Before any building or part thereof,
except multi-family and one and two-family dwellings (use groups
L-2 and L-3), is re-occupied, the building official shall be
notified by the owner. The building may be inspected and when
in compliance with the Basic Code the building official shall
re-certify the building or structure.
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111.43 CHANGES OF OCCUPANTS -DWELLING UNITS: When any dwelling unit is
vacated, the building official shall be so notified by the owner before
the unit is re-occupied within any twelve-month period. Upon the
determination of the building official, said dwelling unit may be inspected
to determine if said unit conforms to the Basic Code. A dwelling unit
shall be inspected with three (3) working days from the date of notification
or it shall be deemed to be approved for occupancy. Nothing in this
section is intended to require an owner to so notify the building official
where another vacancy occurs within a twelve-month period of a prior
notification.
111.5 FINAL INSPECTION: The owner or his authorized representative
shall notify the building official upon completion of the building or
structure or part thereof. Prior to the issuance of the certificate of
use and occupancy required in section 120.0, a final inspection shall be
made and all violations of the approved plans and permit shall be noted
and the holder of the permit shall be notified of any discrepancies.
111.6 INSPECTION SERVICES: The building official may accept the written
report of inspections from a qualified registered professional engineer
or architect or others certified by the Commission; and such inspection
report shall specify but not be limited to any violation of the requirements
of the Basic Code in respect to egress requirements, floor load, fire
grading, occupancy load and use of the buildings.
SECTION 112.0 RIGHT OF ENTRY
In the discharge of his duties, the building official shall have the
authority to enter at any reasonable hour any building, structure or
premises in the municipality to enforce the provisions of the Basic
Code.
If any owner, occupant, or other person refuses impedes, inhibits,
interferes with, restricts, or obstructs entry and free access to every
part of the structure, operation or premise where inspection authorized
by the Basic Code is sought, the building official, or state inspector
may:
a) seek in a court of competent jurisdiction a search warrant so
as to apprise the owner, occupant or other person concerning
the nature of the inspection and justification for it and may
seek the assistance of police authorities in presenting said
warrant and/or
b) revoke or suspend any license, permit or other permission reg-
ulated under the Basic Code where inspection of the structures,
operation or premises is sought to determine compliance with
the Basic Code.
112.1 OFFICIAL BADGE: The Commission may adopt a badge of office for
building officials which shall be displayed for the purpose of identification.
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112.2 MUNICIPAL COOPERATION: The assistance and cooperation of police,
fire, and health departments and all other municipal officials shall be
available to the building official as required in the performance of his
duties.
SECTION 113.0 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT
113.1 WHEN PERMIT IS REQUIRED: It shall be unlawful to construct,
enlarge, alter, remove or demolish a building, or change the occupancy
of a building from one use group to another; or to install or alter any
equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is
regulated by the Basic Code, without first filing an application with
the building official in writing and obtaining the required permit
therefor; except that ordinary repairs as defined in section 102 which
do not involve any violation of the Basic Code shall be exempt from this
provision.
113.2 FORM OF APPLICATION: The application for a permit shall be
submitted in such form as the building official may prescribe and shall
be accompanied by the required fee as prescribed in section 118.0.
113.3 BY WHOM APPLICATION IS MADE: Application for a permit shall be
made by the owner, as defined in article 2, of the building or structure.
The full names and addresses of the owner, applicant, and of the responsible
officers, if the owner is a corporate body, shall be stated in the
application.
113.4 DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The application shall contain a general
description of the proposed work, its location, the use and occupancy of
all parts of the building or structure and of all portions of the site
or lot not covered by the building; and shall state whether or not fire
extinguishing equipment, plumbing, water piping, gasfitting, heating or
electrical work is involved, the estimated cost of such work including
the general work, and such additional information as may be required by
the building commissioner or inspector of buildings. The building
commissioner or inspector of buildings may require the facts contained
in each application to be certified by the applicant under oath.
113.5 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: The application for the permit shall
be accompanied by not less than three (3) copies of specifications and
of plans drawn to scale, with sufficient clarity and detail dimensions
to show the nature and character of the work to be performed. When
quality of materials is essential for conformity to the Basic Code,
specific information shall be given to establish such quality; and in no
case shall the code be cited or the term "legal" or its equivalent be
used as a substitute for specific information. The building official
may waive the requirement for filing plans when the work involved is of
a minor nature.
All plans filed with the building official shall include but not be
limited to :
a) the accurate locations and dimension of all means of egress from
fire and an occupancy schedule of persons for all occupiable
spaces.
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b) the method and amount of ventilation and sanitation.
c) the methods of fire stopping as required in this code.
d) schedules and details indicating compliance of interior trim
and finish with provisions of article 9.
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113.51 STRUCTURES SUBJECT TO CONTROL: In those structures subject
to control as required in section 128.0, affidavits must be submitted
with the permit application, that the individuals and testing labora-
tories responsible for carrying out the duties of section 128.0 have
been licensed and registered by the Commission through the provisions
of sections 800.4, 800.41 and 800.42.
113.6 PLOT PLAN: There shall also be filed a plot plan showing to
scale the size and location of all the new construction and all exist-
ing structures on the site, distances from lot lines and the establish-
ed street grades; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate
boundary line survey. In the case of demolition, the plot plan shall
show all construction to be demolished and the location and size of
all existing buildings and construction that are to remain on the site
or plot. The plot plan shall not be changed except as specified in
section 115.4.
113.7 ENGINEERING DETAILS: The building official may require ade-
quate details of structural, mechanical and electrical work, includ-
ing computations, stress diagrams and other essential technical data
to be filed. All such plans and computations shall bear the Mass-
achusetts seal of registration of the qualified registered profes-
sional engineer or architect .
113.8 AMENDMENTS TO APPLICATION: Subject to the limitations of
section 113.9, no amendments or revisions to a plan or other records
accompanying the same may be made until the proposed changes have been
filed with and approved by the building official; and such approved
amendments shall be deemed part of the original application and shall
be filed therewith.
113.9 TIME LIMITATION OF APPLICATION: An application for a permit
for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned six (6)
months after date of filing, unless such application has been dili-
gently prosecuted or a permit shall have been issued; except that
for reasonable cause the building official may grant one or more
extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding ninety (90)
days each.
SECTION 114.0 PERMITS
114.1 ACTION ON APPLICATION: The building commissioner or inspec-
tor of buildings shall examine or cause to be examined all applica-
tions for permits and amendments thereto within thirty (30) days
after filing. Before a permit is granted for the excavation or for
the erection of any building or structure, a written statement shall
be furnished by the owner from a town or city engineer as to the
established grades. If the application or the plans do not conform
to the requirements of the Basic Code or of all pertinent laws, he
shall reject such application citing the specific sections of the
Basic Code or pertinent law. If he is satisfied that the proposed
work conforms to the requirements of the Basic Code and all pertinent
law applicable thereto, he shall issue a permit.
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114.11 REPORT TO ASSESSORS: The building official shall give to
the assessors of the municipality written notice of the granting by
him of permits for the construction of any buildings or for the
removal or demolition or for any substantial alteration or addition
thereto. Such notice shall be given within seven (7) days after
the granting of each permit, and shall state the name of the person
to whom the permit was granted and the location of the building to
be constructed, altered, demolished or removed.
114.2 EXPIRATION OF PERMIT: Any permit issued shall become invalid
unless the work authorized by it shall have been commenced within
six (6) months after its issuance in which case it shall be deemed
abandoned, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended for
a period of one (1) year after the time the work is commenced; pro-
vided that, for cause, one or more extensions of time, for periods
not exceeding ninety (90) days each, may be allowed in writing by
the building commissioner or inspector of buildings. For purposes
of this section, any permit issued shall not be considered invalid,
if such suspension or abandonment is due to a court order prohibit-
ing such work as authorized by such permit. Provided however, in
the opinion of the building commissioner, inspector of buildings
or state inspector, the person so prohibited by such court order,
adequately defends such action before the court.
114.3 PREVIOUS APPROVALS: Nothing in the Basic Code or the rules
and regulations pursuant thereto shall affect any building permit
lawfully issued, or any building or structure lawfully begun in
conformance with such permit, before the effective date of the Basic
Code in a city or town, provided, that work under such a permit is
commenced within six months after its issue, and that such work,
whether under such permit or otherwise lawfully begun, proceeds in
good faith continuously to completion so far as is reasonably prac-
ticable under the circumstances.
114.4 SIGNATURE TO PERMIT: The building commissioner or inspector
of buildings shall affix his signature to every permit.
114.5 APPROVED PLANS: If approved by him the building commissioner
or inspector of buildings or supervisor of plans of the Division of
Inspection of the Department of Public Safety shall stamp and endorse
in writing the plans submitted in accordance with section 113.5; two
sets of such stamped and endorsed plans shall be retained and he shall
not allow the removal of any such plans and specifications from the
department except in his sole discretion for the purposes of examina-
tion by another municipal or state department; the other set of plans
shall be kept at the building site, open to inspection of the build-
ing commissioner, inspector of buildings. Commissioner of the Depart-
ment of Public Safety or their authorized representative, at all
reasonable times.
114.6 REVOCATION OF PERMITS: The building official may revoke a
permit or approval issued under the provisions of the Basic Code in
case any false statement or misrepresentation of fact in the appli-
cation of the plans on which the permit or approval was based .
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114.7 APPROVAL IN PART: When application for a permit to erect or
add to a building or other structure has been filed, as required in
section 113.5, and pending issuance of such permit, the building
official may at his discretion issue a special permit for the foun-
dations or any other part of a building or structure. The holder
of such a special permit may proceed at his own risk without assur-
ance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted.
114.8 POSTING OF PERMIT: A copy of the building permit provided
by the building department shall be kept in view and protected from
the weather on the site of operations open to public inspection dur-
ing the entire time of prosecution of the work and until the certi-
ficate of occupancy shall have been issued. The building permit
shall serve as an inspection record card to allow the building offi-
cial conveniently to make entries thereon regarding inspection of
the work.
114.9 NOTICE OF START: At least twenty-four (24) hours' notice of
start of work under a building permit shall be given to the building
official.
SECTION 115.0 CONDITIONS OF PERMIT
115.1 COMPLIANCE WITH CODE: The permit shall be a license to pro-
ceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to violate,
cancel or set aside any of the provisions of the Basic Code, except
as specifically stipulated by modification or legally granted varia-
tion in accordance with section 126.0.
115.2 COMPLIANCE WITH PERMIT: All work shall conform to the stamp-
ed or endorsed application and plans for which the permit has been
issued and any approved amendments thereto.
115.3 COMPLIANCE WITH PLOT PLAN: All new work shall be located
strictly in accordance with the approved plot plan.
115.4 CHANGE IN PLOT PLAN: No lot or plot shall be changed, in-
creased or diminished in area from that shown on the official plot
plan, as specified in section 113.6, unless a revised plan showing
such changes accompanied by the necessary affidavit of owner or
applicant shall have been filed and approved; except that such re-
vised plot plan will not be required if the change is caused by
reason of an official street opening, street widening or other pub-
lic improvement .
SECTION 116.0 DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS
116.1 SERVICE CONNECTIONS: Before a building can be demolished or
removed, the owner or agent shall notify all utilities having ser-
vice connections within the building such as water, electric, gas.
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sewer and other connections. A permit to demolish or remove a build-
ing shall not be issued until a release is obtained from the utili-
ties, stating that their respective service connections and appur-
tenant equipment, such as meters and regulators, have been removed
or sealed and plugged in a safe manner .
SECTION 117.0 REMOVAL OF BUILDINGS
117.1 LOT REGULATION: When a building or structure has been demol-
ished or removed and no building operation has been projected or
approved, the vacant lot shall be filled with non-organic fill, grad-
ed and maintained in conformity with adjacent grades. The lot shall
be maintained free from the accumulation of rubbish and all other
unsafe or hazardous conditions which endanger the life or health of
the public; provisions shall be made to prevent the accumulation of
water or damage to any foundations on the premises or the adjoining
property; and the necessary retaining walls and fences shall be
erected in accordance with the provisions of article 13.
SECTION 118.0 FEES
No permit shall be issued to begin work for new construction, al-
teration, removal, demolition or other building operation until the
fees prescribed by municipal ordinance or by-law shall have been paid
to the city or town collector or other municipal agency authorized to
collect such fees.
118.1 SPECIAL FEES: The payment of the fee for the construction,
alteration, removal or demolition and for all work done in connec-
tion with or concurrently with the work contemplated by a building
permit shall not relieve the applicant or holder of the permit from
the payment of other fees that may be prescribed by law or ordinance
for water taps, sewer connections, electrical and plumbing permits,
erection of signs and display structures, marquees or other appurte-
nant structures, or fees for inspections, certificates of use and
occupancy or other privileges or requirements, both within and with-
out the jurisdiction of the building department.
SECTION 119.0 FEE COMPUTATION
The permit fees shall be computed according to the fee schedule
and procedures adopted in the municipality.
SECTION 120.0 CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY
120,1 NEW BUILDINGS: No building hereafter erected shall be used
or occupied in whole or in part until the certificate of use and
occupancy shall have been issued by the building official. The
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certificate shall not be issued until all the work has been completed
in accordance with the provisions of the approved permits and of the
applicable codes for which a permit is required, except as provided
in section 120.4.
120.2 BUILDINGS HEREAFTER ALTERED: No building hereafter enlarged,
extended or altered to change the use group classification, the fire-
grading, the maximum live load capacity, or the occupancy load capac-
ity, in whole or in part, and no building hereafter altered for which
a certificate of use and occupancy has not been heretofore issued,
shall be occupied or used until the certificate shall have been issued
by the building official, certifying that the work has been completed
in accordance with the provisions of the approved permits and of the
applicable codes for which a permit is required. Any use or occupancy,
which was not discontinued during the work of alteration, shall be dis-
continued within thirty (30) days after the completion of the altera-
tion unless the required certificate is issued by the building offi-
cial .
120.3 EXISTING BUILDINGS: Upon written request from the owner of
an existing building, the building official shall issue a certificate
of use and occupancy, provided there are no violations of law or
orders of the building official pending, and it is established after
inspection and investigation that the alleged use of the building has
heretofore existed. Nothing in the Basic Code shall require the re-
moval, alteration or abandonment of, or prevent the continuance of
the use and occupancy of a lawfully existing building, unless such
use is deemed to endanger public safety and welfare.
120.4 TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY: Upon the request of the holder of a
permit, the building official may issue a temporary certificate of
occupancy for a building or structure, or part thereof, before the
entire work covered by the permit shall have been completed, pro-
vided such portion or portions may be occupied safely prior to full
completion of the building without endangering life or public wel-
fare, and provided that the agencies having jurisdiction for permits
issued under other applicable codes are notified of the decision to
issue a temporary certificate.
120.5 CONTENTS OF CERTIFICATE: The certificate shall certify com-
pliance with the provisions of the Basic Code and the purpose for
which the building or structure may be used in its several parts;
and shall be issued by the building official within ten (10) days
after final inspection, provided that the provisions of the approved
permits and of the applicable codes for which permits are required
have been met. For use groups A, B, C, D and E the certificate of use
and occupancy shall specify; the use group, in accordance with the
provisions of article 2, the fire grading as defined in article 2
and table 9-1, the maximum live load on all floors as prescribed in
article 7, the occupancy load in the building and all parts thereof
as defined in article 2 and article 6, and any special stipulations
and conditions of the building permit.
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SECTION 121.0 POSTING BUILDINGS
121.1 POSTED USE AND OCCUPANCY: A suitably designed placard ap-
proved by the building official shall be posted by the owner on
all floors of every building and structure and part thereof de-
signed for high hazard, storage, mercantile, industrial or business
use (use groups A, B, C, D, and E) as defined in article 2. Said
placard shall be securely fastened to the building or structure in
a readily visible place, stating: the use group, the fire grading,
the live load and the occupancy load .
121.2 POSTED OCCUPANCY LOAD: A suitably designed placard approved
by the building official shall be posted by the owner of every build-
ing and structure and part thereof designed for use as a place of
public assembly or as an institutional building for harboring people
for penal, correctional, educational, medical or other care of treat-
ment, or as residential buildings used for hotels, lodging houses,
boarding houses, dormitory buildings, multiple-family dwellings (use
groups F, H, L-1 and L-2) . Said placard shall designate the maximum
occupancy load.
121.3 REPLACEMENT OF POSTED SIGNS: All posting signs shall be fur-
nished by the owner and shall be of permanent design; they shall not
be removed, or defaced and, if lost, removed or defaced, shall be
immediately replaced.
121.4 PERIODIC INSPECTION FOR POSTING: The building official shall
periodically inspect all existing buildings and structures except
one and two-family dwellings for compliance with the Basic Code in
respect to posting; or he may accept the report of such inspections
from a qualified registered engineer or architect or others certified
by the Commission; and such inspections and reports shall specify
any violation of the requirements of the Basic Code in respect to
the posting of floor load, fire grading, occupancy load and use group
of the building.
SECTION 122.0 VIOLATIONS
122.1 NOTICE OF VIOLATION: The building official shall serve a
written notice of violation or order on the owner, as defined in
article 2, or the person responsible when in violation of any of
the provisions of the Basic Code. Such notice or order shall di-
rect the discontinuance of the illegal action or condition and the
abatement of the violation.
122.12 NOTICE OR ORDERS - SERVICE AND CONTENT: Every notice or
order authorized by the Basic Code shall be in writing, and shall
be served on the person responsible:
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a) personally, by any person authorized by the building official:
or
b) by any person authorized to serve civil process by leaving
a copy of the order or notice at his last and usual place
of abode; or
c) by sending him a copy of the order by registered mail, return
receipt requested, if he is within the Commonwealth; or
d) if his last and usual place of abode is unkown or outside
the Commonwealth, by posting a copy of the order or notice
in a conspicuous place on or about the premises in violation
and by publishing it for at least three (3) out of five (5) consecu-
tive days in one or more newspapers of general circulation where-
in the building or premises affected is situated.
122.2 PROSECUTION OF VIOLATION: If the notice of violation is
not complied with within thirty (30) days after service, unless
otherwise provided in the Basic Code, the building official may
institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity in a
court of competent jurisdiction to restrain, correct or abate
such violation or to require the removal or termination of the
unlawful use of the building or structure in violation of the
provisions of the Basic Code or of the order or direction made
pursuant thereto; or
122.3 VIOLATION PENALTIES: A person who shall violate a provision
of the Basic Code shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than
one year, or both, for each violation. Each day during which any por-
tion of a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
122.4 ABATEMENT OF VIOLATION: The imposition of the penalties
herein prescribed shall not preclude the building official from
instituting appropriate action to prevent unlawful construction
or to restrain, correct or abate a violation, or to prevent
illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises or to stop
an illegal act, conduct, business or use of a building or structure
in or about any premises.
SECTION 123.0 STOP-WORK ORDER
123.1 NOTICE TO OWNER: Upon notice from the building official
that any work on a building or structure is being prosecuted con-
trary to the provisions of the Basic Code or in an unsafe or dan-
gerous manner, such work shall be immediately stopped. The stop-
work order shall be in writing and shall be served on the owner,
as defined in article 2, or on the person responsible as provided
in section 122.12; and shall state the conditions under which work
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may be resumed; provided, however, that in instances where immediate
action is deemed necessary for public safety or in the public in-
terest, the building official may require that work be stopped upon
verbal order.
123.11 POSTING: A stop-work notice shall be posted in a conspic-
uous place on the job site and can only be removed by the building
official.
123.2 UNLAWFUL CONTINUANCE: Any person who shall continue any
work in or about the job site after having been served with a
stop-work order, except such work as he is directed to perform to
remove a violation or unsafe conditions, shall be liable to pro-
sectution as provided in section 122. 0._^
SECTION 124.0 UNSAFE BUILDINGS - SURVEY BOARD
124.1 DUTIES OF BUILDING OFFICIAL - UNSAFE BUILDINGS: The build-
ing official, immediately upon being informed by report or other-
wise that a building or other structure or anything attached there-
to or connected therewith is dangerous to life or limb or that any
building in that city or town is unused, uninhabited or abandoned,
and open to the weather, shall inspect the same; and he shall forth-
with in writing notify the owner as provided in section 122.12,
as defined in article 2, to remove it or make it safe if it appears
to him to be dangerous , or to make it secure if it is unused , unin-
habited or abandoned and open to the weather. If it appears that
such structure would be especially unsafe in case of fire, it shall
be deemed dangerous within the meaning hereof, and the building
official may affix in a conspicuous place upon its exterior walls
a notice of its dangerous condition, which shall not be removed
or defaced without authority from him.
124.2 REMOVAL OR MAKING STRUCTURE SAFE - PUTTING UP FENCE: Any
person so notified shall be allowed until twelve o'clock noon
of the day following the service of the notice in which to begin
to remove such structure or make it safe, or to make it secure,
and he shall employ sufficient labor speedily to make it safe
or remove it or to make it secure; but if the public safety so
requires and if the mayor or selectmen so order, the building
official may immediately enter upon the premises with the necessary
workmen and assistants and cause such unsafe structure to be made
safe or demolished without delay and a proper fence put up for
the protection of passersby, or to be made secure.
124.3 FAILURE TO REMOVE OR MAKE STRUCTURE SAFE, SURVEY BOARD,
SURVEY, REPORT: If an owner, as defined in article 2, of such un-
safe structure refuses or neglects to comply with the require-
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merits of such notice within the specified time limit, and such structure
is not made safe or taken down as ordered, therein, a careful survey
of the premises shall be made by a board consisting; in a city, of
a city engineer, the head of the fire department, as such term is
defined in Section 1 of Chapter 148 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Annotated, as amended, and one disinterested person to be appointed
by the building official; and, in a town, of a surveyor, the head
of the fire department and one disinterested person to be appointed
by a building official. In the absence of any of the above officers
or individuals, the mayor or selectmen shall designate one or more
officers or other suitable persons in place of the officers so named
as members of said board . A written report of such survey shall be
made, and a copy thereof served on such owner.
SECTION 125.0 EMERGENCY MEASURES
125.1 REMOVAL OF DANGEROUS OR ABANDONED STRUCTURES: If such survey
report as outlined in section 124.0, declares such structure to be
dangerous or to be unused, uninhabited or abandoned, and open to the
weather, and if the owner, as defined in article 2, continues such
refusal or neglect the building official shall cause it to be made
safe or taken down or to be made secure, and, if the public safety
so requires, said building official may at once enter the structure,
the land on which it stands or the abutting land or buildings, with
such assistance as he may require, and secure the same, and may remove
and evict, under the pertinent provisions of Chapter 239 of the
Massachusetts General Laws Annotated as amended or otherwise,
any tenant or occupant thereof, and may erect such protection for
the public by proper fence or otherwise as may be necessary, and for
this purpose may close a public highway. In the case of such demolition,
the said building official shall cause such lot to be levelled to
conform with adjacent grades by a non-organic fill. The costs and
charges incurred shall constitute a lien upon the land upon which
the structure is located and shall be enforced in an action of contract,
and such owner shall for every day's continuance of such refusal or
neglect after being so notified, be punished by a fine in accordance
with section 122.3. The provisions of the second paragraph of
Section 3A of Chapter 139 of the Massachusetts General Laws Annotated
as amended, relative to liens for such debt and the collection of
claims for such debt, shall apply to any debt referred to in this
section, except that the said building official shall act hereunder
in place of the mayor or board of selectmen. During the time such
order is in effect, it shall be unlawful to use or occupy such structure
or any portion thereof for any purpose.
125.2 REMEDY OF PERSON ORDERED TO REMOVE A DANGEROUS STRUCTURE OR
MAKE IT SAFE: An owner, as defined in article 2, aggrieved by such
order may have the remedy prescribed by Section 2 of Chapter 139 of
the Massachusetts General Laws Annotated as amended; provided, that
no provision of said Section 2 shall be construed so as to hinder,
delay or prevent the building official acting and proceeding under
section 125.1; and provided, further, that this section shall not
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prevent the city or town from recovering the forfeiture provided in
said section 125.1 from the date of the service of the original notice,
unless the order is annulled by the jury.
SECTION 126.0 BOARD OF APPEALS
126.1 STATE BUILDING CODE APPEALS BOAED : Whoever is aggrieved by
an interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act
under the Basic Code by any agency or official of the city, town or
region, or agency or official of the State charged with the adminis-
tration or enforcement of the Basic Code or any of its rules or regu-
lations, excepting any specialized codes, may appeal directly to the
State Building Code Appeals Board as provided in section 126.
Whoever is aggrieved by an interpretation, order, requirement,
direction or failure to act under the Basic Code by any agency or
official of a city, town or region charged with the administration or
enforcement of the Basic Code or any of its rules and regulations,
excepting any specialized codes, may appeal directly to the State
Building Code Appeals Board or may appeal first to a local or regional
appeals board and then to the State Building Code Appeals Board as
provided in section 126.
In the event an appeal is taken directly to the State Building Code
Appeals Board from an interpretation, order, requirement or direction,
said appeal shall be filed as specified in section 126.31, with the
State Building Code Appeals Board no later than forty-five (45) days
after the service of notice thereof of the interpretation, order,
requirement or direction.
In the event the appeal is taken directly to the State Building Code
Appeals Board for the failure to act, the appeal shall be taken no
later than forty-five (45) days after a request to act has been made
by the aggrieved person in writing and served to the appropriate
building official or chief administrative officer of the state or
local agency which fails to act.
If the aggrieved person elects to appeal before the local or regional
board, he shall not be allowed to enter such appeal with the State
Building Code Appeals Board until such time as the said local or
regional board renders a decision, unless the reason for appeal to
the State Building Code Appeals Board is the failure of the local or
regional board to act.
126.2 MEMBERSHIP
126.21 THREE MEMBER PANEL: The State Building Code Appeals Board
(hereinafter referred to in section 126 as the Board) shall consist
of the membership of the State Building Code Commission. The chairman
of the Commission shall be chairman of the Board. The chairman of the
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Board may designate any three (3) members of the Board to act as a
three (3) member panel to hold any public hearing under section 126,
and to hear testimony and take evidence. The chairman of the Board
shall select one (1) of the three (3) members to act as chairman
of the said three (3) member panel. If a three (3) member panel is so
designated, the three (3) member panel shall act as the appeals board
and render a decision as provided in section 126.
126.22 CLERK: The Executive Secretary of the Commission shall desig-
nate one (1) of the staff of the Coimnission to act as Clerk to the
Board. The Clerk shall keep a detailed record of all decisions and
appeals and a docket book on file with the name of each appeal properly
indexed and the disposition of the appeal. Said docket book shall be
open to public inspection at all times during normal business hours.
126.23 QUORUM: A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum if
the appeal is heard by the entire Board. If the appeal is heard by
a three (3) member panel, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum.
126.3 APPEALS PROCEDURE FOR STATE BUILDING CODE APPEALS BOARD
126.31 ENTRY: Appeals shall be entered on forms provided by the
Commission and shall be accompanied by an entry fee of fifty dollars
($50) or such other amounts as may be determined by the Conmiission
from time to time.
The appeal shall be signed by the appellant or his attorney or
agent and shall note the name and address of the person or agency in
whose behalf the appeal is taken and the name of the person and
address wherein service of notice for the appellant is to be made.
The appeal shall also state in detail the interpretation, order,
requirement, direction or failure to act which are the grounds of the
appeal as well as the particular section or sections of the Basic
Code which are involved in the appeal and the reasons the appellant
advances supporting the appeal.
A copy of the appeal shall be served in accordance with section
122.12 by the appellant on the person or state, regional or local
agency from whose action or inaction the appeal is taken, on or before
entry of the appeal. A return of service under oath shall be filed
with the Board forthwith by the appellant.
126.32 STAY OF PROCEEDINGS: Entry of an appeal shall stay all pro-
ceedings in furtherance of the action or failure to act appealed
from, unless the state, regional or local agency or any person charged
with the administration or enforcement of the Basic Code or any of its
rules or regulations presents evidence and the Board or a three (3) mem-
ber panel or a single member of the Board appointed by the chairman for
said purpose, finds that upon the evidence presented a stay would
involve imminent peril to life or property. In such an event, stay
of all proceedings shall be waived or the Board or three (3) member panel
or single member may order such other action necessary to preserve
public safety.
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Before waiving the stay of proceedings, the Board or three (3) member
panel or single member of the Board appointed by the chairman for
said purpose, shall hold a hearing and give the appellant and state,
regional or local agency or any person claiming that a stay would
involve imminent peril to life or property, notice in writing of the
hearing not less than twenty-four (24) hours before said hearing.
126.33 DOCUMENTS: Upon entry, the Clerk shall request in writing
from the state, city, regional or town officer in charge of the
matter on appeal, a copy of the record and all other papers and docu-
ments relative to the appeal to be transmitted forthwith to the
Board. Said state, city, regional or town officer shall upon receipt
of the request of the board transmit forthwith all the papers and
documents and a copy of the record relating to the matter on appeal.
126.34 HEARINGS: The chairman of the Board shall fix a convenient
time and place for a public hearing. Said hearings shall be held
not later than thirty (30) days after the entry of such appeal, unless
such time is extended by agreement with the appellant . Any such party
may appear in person or by agent or attorney at such hearing. The
chairman or clerk shall give notice of the time and place of said
hearing to all parties to the hearing and to anyone else requesting
notice in writing at least ten (10) days prior thereto. Failure to
hold a public hearing within thirty (30) days shall not affect the
validity of the appeal or any decision rendered. The board or three (3)
member panel in its hearings conducted under this section shall not
be bound by strict rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or
equity.
126.4 DECISIONS
126.41 VOTES REQUIRED: If the appeal is conducted by a three (3) member
panel, then the concurrence of two (2) of the three (3) members holding
the public hearing shall be required. If the appeal is conducted by
the entire board, then a majority vote of those hearing the case shall
be required.
126.42 STANDARD: The board or a three (3) member panel may vary the
application of any provision of this Code to any particular case when
in the opinion of the board or a three (3) member panel, the enforcement
of the Code would do manifest injustice, provided that the board or
three-member panel finds that the decision to grant a variance shall
not conflict with the general objectives set forth in Section 18 of
Chapter 23B of the General Laws of the Commonwealth or with the
general objectives of the Basic Code.
126.43 TIME FOR DECISION: The board shall within thirty (30) days
after such hearing, unless such time is extended by agreement of the
parties, issue a decision or order reversing, affirming or modifying
in whole or in part the order, interpretation, requirement, direction
or failure to act which is the subject matter of the appeal.
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Failure to render a decision within thirty (30) days shall not
affect the validity of any such decision or appeal.
Notice of and a copy of the decision shall be sent by the Clerk
to all parties to the appeal and anyone requesting in writing a
copy of the decision.
126.44 CONTENTS OF DECISION: All decisions shall be in writing and
state findings of fact, conclusions and reasons for decisions. Every
decision shall indicate thereon the vote of each member and shall be
signed by each member voting. No decision shall be considered by any
person or agency as a precedent for future decisions.
126.45 ADDITIONAL POWERS: The board or a three (3) member panel may
impose in any decision, limitations both as to time and use, and a
continuation of any use permitted may be conditioned upon compliance
with future amendments to the Basic Code.
126.5 ENFORCEMENT: Upon receipt of the decision of the Board or a
three (3) member panel, the parties to the appeal shall take action
forthwith to comply with the decision unless a later time is specified
in the decision.
126.6 APPEALS FROM STATE BUILDING CODE APPEALS BOARD: Any person
aggrieved by a decision of the State Building Code Appeals Board may
appeal to a court of law or equity in conformance with Chapter 30A,
Section 14 of the General Laws.
126.7 LOCAL OR REGIONAL BOARD OF APPEALS: Whoever is aggrieved by
an interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act
under the Basic Code by any agency or official of a city, region or
town charged with the administration or enforcement of the Basic Code
or any of its rules and regulations may appeal first to the appeals
board in that city, region or town and then to the State Building Code
Appeals Board as provided in section 126.
In the event an appeal is taken from an interpretation, order,
requirement or direction, said appeal shall be filed with the local
or regional appeal board no later than forty-five (45) days after the
service of notice thereof of the interpretation, order, requirement
or direction.
In the event the appeal is taken for the failure to act, the appeal
shall be taken no later than forty-five (45) days after a request to act
has been made by the aggrieved person in writing and served to the
appropriate building official or chief administrative officer of the
city, regional or town agency which fails to act.
126.8 LOCAL AND REGIONAL BOARD OF APPEALS
126.81 MEMBERSHIP: Any building code board of appeals duly established
by ordinance or by-law or otherwise in a city, region or town and in
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existence on January 1, 1975, shall qualify as a local board of appeals
under section 126 notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein. However, the procedure and rights for appeals for such board
of appeals shall be governed by this Code.
If a city, region or town has not duly established by ordinance
or by-law or otherwise a local or regional building code appeals board
by January 1, 1975, said city, region or town may establish a local or
regional board of appeals, hereinafter referred to as the local board
of appeals, consisting of five (5) members appointed by the chief
administrative officer of the city, region or town: one (1) member ap-
pointed for five (5) years, one (1) for four (4) years, one for three
(3) years, one for two (2) years and one to serve for one (1) year; and
thereafter each new member to serve for five (5) years or until his
successor has been appointed.
126.82 QUALIFICATIONS OF LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS: Each member of a local
board of appeals established under section 126.81 shall have had at
least five (5) years experience in the construction, alteration,
repair and maintenance of building and building codes. At least one
(1) member shall be a registered structural or civil professional
engineer and one (1) member a licensed professional architect.
126.83 CHAIRMAN OF LOCAL OR REGIONAL BOARD: The board shall select
one (1) of its members to serve as chairman, and the building official
shall designate a person from the department to serve as secretary to
the board, who shall keep a detailed record of all proceedings on file
in the said building department.
126.84 ABSENCE OF MEMBERS: During the absence of a member of a local
board of appeals for reason of disability or disqualification, the
chief administrative officer of the city, region or town shall desig-
nate a substitute who shall meet the qualifications as outlined in
section 126.82.
126.85 QUORUM: A quorum shall be three (3) members, but when five
(5) qualified members are not present to consider a specific appeal,
either the appellant or appellee may request a postponement of the
hearing.
126.86 PROCEDURES: Entry of appeals shall be governed by section
126.31 excepting that the city, region or towns may set their own
entry fee.
Upon notice of entry of appeal the local building commissioner or
inspector of buildings shall transmit a copy of the record and all
the papers and documents to the local board of appeals.
Entry of an appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of
the action or failure to act appealed from, unless the building com-
missioner or inspector of buildings certifies in writing to the local
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board of appeals that a stay would involve imminent peril to life or
property. Notice in writing of such certification by the building
commissioner or inspector of buildings shall be given the appellant
at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hearing. In such an
event a hearing on such stay shall be given first priority and be the
first matter heard by the local board of appeal at its next scheduled
meeting. The hearing on the appeal shall be held as soon as possible
thereafter in accordance with section 126.87.
The local board of appeal may establish its own rules for procedure
not established herein or not inconsistent with this Code or the
enabling legislation creating a statewide building code.
126.87 HEARINGS: All hearings shall be public and notice of said
hearings shall be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation
in the city, region or town in which the appeal is taken, at least
ten (10) days before said hearing. Notice of the hearing, setting
forth the date and time of said hearing shall be mailed by the local
board of appeals to all parties and all those who requested notice
in writing at least fourteen (14) days before said hearing. Said
hearings shall be held not later than thirty (30) days after the
entry of such appeal, unless such time is extended by agreement with
the appellant. This section as it pertains to notice shall not apply
to hearings on a stay as provided in section 126.86.
126.88 DECISIONS OF LOCAL BOARDS: A concurring vote of a majority
of all the members shall be required for any decision. The local appeals
board may vary the application of this Code to any particular case when
in its opinion the enforcement of this Code would do manifest injustice,
provided that the decision of the board shall not conflict with the
general objectives of the state building code or any of its enabling
legislation. The local board of appeal may impose in any decision,
limitations both as to time and use, and a continuation of any use
permitted may be conditioned upon compliance with future amendments
to the Basic Code.
126.89 TIME FOR DECISION: The board shall within thirty (30) days
after such hearing, unless such time is extended by agreement of the
parties, issue a decision or order reversing, affirming or modifying
in whole or in part the order, interpretation, requirement, direction
or failure to act which is the subject matter of the appeal.
Failure to render a decision within thirty (30) days shall not
affect the validity of any such decision or appeal.
Notice of and a copy of the decision shall be sent by the clerk to
all parties to the appeal and to anyone requesting in writing a copy
of the decision.
126.90 CONTENTS OF DECISION: All decisions shall be in writing and
state findings of fact, conclusions and reasons for the decisions.
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Every decision shall indicate thereon the vote of each member and shall
be signed by each member voting. Any decision shall not be considered
by any person or agency as a precedent for future decisions.
126.91 ENFORCEMENT OF DECISION: If said decision is approved by the
State Building Code Appeals Board, all parties to the appeal shall take
immediate action in accordance with the decision of the local board
unless the person aggrieved by such decision appeals to the State Building
Code Appeals Board as provided in section 126.
126.92 COPY OF DECISION: A copy of any decision by a local board of
appeals shall be transmitted to the State Building Code Appeals Board
within ten (10) days after the rendering of such decision. If the State
Building Code Appeals Board disapproves of the said decision of the
local board, it may on its own motion, appeal from the local appeals
board's decision according to section 126 and call for a hearing de
novo .
If the State Building Code Appeals Board does not notify the local
board in writing within forty-five (45) days from the date of the local
board's decision, the said decision shall be deemed approved; provided
that the decision shall not conflict with the general objectives of the
state building code and any of its enabling legislation.
126.93 REVIEW: Any person, including the State Building Code Appeals
Board, aggrieved by a decision of the local board of appeals, whether or
not a previous party to the decision, or any municipal officer or
official board of the municipality, may not later than forty-five (45)
days after the mailing of the decision of the local board, apply to the
State Building Code Appeals Board for a hearing de novo before the state
board, in accordance with the regulations contained in section 126.
SECTION 127.0 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SAFETY BOARD
127.1 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR LICENSING: The commission shall issue
rules and regulations for the examination and licensing, and the revocation
of licenses of individuals, laboratories and firms responsible for the
inspection, control, testing and quality of materials, devices and
methods of construction. Said rules and regulations shall require that
all testing equipment and procedures shall comply with standards issued
by the American Society for Testing and Materials, provided that such
standards shall not conflict at any time with any rules and regulations
established by and for the said commission.
127.11 CONSTITUTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SAFETY BOARD: There
shall be a board under the control of the commission called the Construction
Materials Safety Board, hereafter in section 127 called the board, which
shall consist of nine (9) members, one (1) of whom shall be a member of
the commission who shall be ex officio and a voting member of the
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board, and eight (8) members to be appointed by the chairman of the
commission: one of whom shall be a registered professional engineer who
is a structural engineer; one of whom shall be a registered architect;
one of whom shall be a representative of a Commercial Testing Labora-
tory; one of whom shall be a representative of a Public Testing Labora-
tory; two of whom shall be representatives from the construction in-
dustry; one of whom shall be a member of a university faculty engaged in
research and teaching in structural materials; and one of whom shall be
a member of a university faculty engaged in research and teaching in the
area of theoretical and applied mechanics.
127.12 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SAFETY BOARD: The board will review
applications for registration for licensing of individuals and lab-
oratories responsible for the inspection, control and testing of con-
struction materials and report to the State Building Code Commission
their recommendations. The board will collect information and review
cases where disciplinary action against an existing license, whether an
individual, laboratory or firm, has been proposed, and make recommenda-
tions to the State Building Code Commission. The commission will issue
applications, receive payment of registration and licensing fees, and
maintain records for the efficient dispatch of the duties of the board.
The board shall submit to the commission reports from time to time as
requested by the commission, but at least annually.
127.2 TESTING AND EVALUATION GROUP: The State Building Code Commission
shall establish and maintain a Testing and Evaluation Group, who will
have the responsibility of administering and directing, under the super-
vision of the commission, the testing and controls for evaluating
individual applicants and laboratories wishing to become registered and
licensed as required under section 128.9.
127.3 ACTIVITIES REQUIRING LICENSES
127.31 CONCRETE TESTING: On and after the first day of January 1975,
no person shall engage in the activities of field testing, plant testing
or field inspection of concrete unless such person is licensed to do so
by the commission. Any person who violates the provisions of this
section, any person who falsifies or counterfeits a license issued by
the board, or any person who fraudulently issues or accepts such a
license shall be punished as provided in section 122.0 of this Code. The
commission shall require strict adherence to the standards of the
American Society for Testing and Materials, Designation E-329, entitled
"Recommended Practice for Inspection and Testing Agencies for Concrete
and Steel as Used in Construction."
128.0 CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION
128.1 STRUCTURES SUBJECT TO CONTROL: Structures and/or parts thereof
which fall within the categories below shall be subject to control as
provided in this section:
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CATEGORIES
one-story structures with a story height of twenty-five (25)
feet or more
four (4) or more floors of framed construction
more than two (2) levels of shored concrete framework
piles, caissons, pressure-injected footings
underpinnings
temporary shoring or sheeting ten (10) feet or more in height
masonry bearing walls four (4) stories or more in height
structures using post-tensioned concrete
four (4) stories or more of precast concrete
retaining walls ten (10) feet or more in total height
bridges, quays and wharfs.
128.2 WAIVER OF STRUCTURAL PLANS: The examination of structural plans
and specifications of structures and/or parts thereof which fall within
the categories listed in section 128.1 may be waived by the building
official when such plans and specifications are submitted by a qualified
registered professional engineer. In such case they shall be accom-
panied by an affidavit stating that the registered professional engineer
has supervised the preparation of the structural design contract docu-
ments, and that such documents conform to all provisions of this Code
and legal rules adopted under its provisions.
128.3 WAIVER OF STRUCTURAL FIELD EXAMINATION: If required by the
building official, the detailed department field inspection of those
parts of plans and specifications submitted under the provisions of
section 128.2 shall be performed by a qualified registered profes-
sional engineer. Such qualified registered professional engineer
shall submit an affidavit stating that the structure shall be built
under his observation or. that of his qualified designated represen-
tative and in accordance with the approved contract documents and
furthermore, that he will review and approve all working drawings
for the construction. Such qualified registered professional engineer
or representative shall certify that the construction is in sub-
stantial accordance with the drawings and specifications submitted
under sections 128.2 and 128.3.
128.4 BUILDING OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Nothing contained in this
section shall have the effect of waiving or limiting the building
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official's authority to enforce the Code with respect to examination
of plans and field inspections.
128.5 REPORTS: The engineer retained under the provisions of section
128.3 shall submit progress reports to the building official at least
weekly. Such reports will terminate upon the completion of the work
on the structural elements, submitted in the structural drawings
subject to section 128.3 and the exterior enclosure of such structural
elements.
128.6 QUALIFICATIONS: The registered professional engineer shall be
approved by the building official as qualified by experience in the
specific field of construction involved in the building project under
consideration .
128.7 PERMIT PROCEDURE: Structures and parts thereof included in
the listing of section 128.1 shall be subject to the pennit procedures
of section 113.51.
128.8 LICENSING OF CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISORS: Construction supervisors
operating under the provisions of section 128.0 shall be subject to
licensing according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the
Commission as provided in section 109.11.
128.9 LICENSING OF LABORATORIES AND TEST PERSONNEL: Laboratories
and test personnel operating under the provisions of section 128.0
shall be subject to licensing according to the rules and regulations
promulgated by the Commission as provided in section 109.12.
SECTION 129.0 VALIDITY
The provisions of this Code are severable, and if any of its pro-
visions shall be held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any
court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall
not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
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ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS AND CLASSIFICATIONS
SECTION 200.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall control the classification of
all buildings as to use group and type of construction; and the def-
inition of all terms relating thereto in the Commonwealth of Mass-
achusetts.
200.1 APPLICATION OF TERMS: The terms herein defined shall be used
to interpret all the applicable provisions of the Basic Code. Defi-
nitions of technical terms relating to specific structural and means
of egress requirements and to the installation of mechanical, elec-
trical and service equipment are included in the respective articles.
200.2 APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS: Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to nullify any provisions of the zoning by-law or ordinance of
any municipality in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts insofar as those
provisions deal exclusively with those powers of regulating zoning
granted by the provisions of Chapter 40A and 41 of the Massachusetts
General Laws Annotated, as amended.
SECTION 201.0 GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for
the purpose of the Basic Code, have the meaning indicated in this
section.
201.1 TENSE, GENDER AND NUMBER: Words used in the present tense
include the future; words used in the masculine gender include the
feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and
the plural the singular.
201.2 TERMS NOT DEFINED: Where terms are not defined, they shall
have their ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context may
imply. Any terms relating to Elevators, Dumbwaiters and Escalators
shall have their meaning as defined by Regulations ELV-1 and ELV-2
of the Department of Public Safety of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts. Any terms relating to plumbing and electrical wiring shall
have their terms as defined by the Regulations of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts pertaining to plumbing and electrical wiring.
ABUT: to touch or be contingent.
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE: that which conforms to accepted prin-
ciples, tests or standards of nationally recognized technical or
scientific authorities.
2-1
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE: a building the use of which is incidental to
that of the main building and which is located on the same lot.
ACCESSORY USE: a use incidental to the principal use of a building
as defined or limited by the provisions of the local zoning laws.
ACCREDITED AUTHORITATIVE AGENCIES: (see appendix A).
ADDITION: an extension or increase in floor area or height of a
building or structure.
AIR CONDITIONING: (see section 1801.0).
AIR DUCT: (see section 1801.0).
AIRPLANE HANGAR: (see section 401.0).
AISLE: a clear and unobstructed passageway through a room.
ALLEY: a secondary thoroughfare less than thirty (30) feet in width
dedicated for the public use of vehicles and pedestrians affording
access to abutting property.
ALTERATION: change in or addition to a building which reduces the
means of exit or fire resistance or changes its structural support,
use or occupancy.
ALTERNATE INSPECTOR: a person appointed to act in the absence of the
inspector of buildings in case of illness, disability, or conflict
of interest, (see section 107.12)
AMUSEMENT DEVICE: a device or structure, open to the public, by which
individuals are conveyed or moved in an unusual manner for diversion.
APARTMENT: a dwelling unit as defined in this Code.
APPROVED: approved by the Commission, the building official or other
authority having jurisdiction.
APPROVED COMBUSTIBLE PLASTIC: (see section 1401.0).
APPROVED MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT AND METHODS: approved by the Commission
or by an agency approved by the Commission.
APPROVED PLASTIC: (see section 2001.0).
APPROVED RULES: those rules approved by the State Building Code
Commission unless otherwise specified.
APPURTENANT STRUCTURE: a device or structure attached to the ex-
terior or erected on the roof of a building designed to support
service equipment or used in connection therewith, or for adver-
tising or display purposes, or other similar uses.
ARCHITECTURAL TERRA COTTA: (see section 801.0).
2-2
AREA (BUILDING) : the maximum horizontally projected areas of the
building at or above grade, exclusive of court and vent shafts.
AREA (FLOOR) : the useable area of each story of a building or por-
tion thereof, within surrounding exterior walls, (see section 601.0).
AREAWAY: (form of construction). An uncovered subsurface space ad-
jacent to a building.
ASHLAR FACING: (see section 801.0).
ASHLAR MASONRY: (see section 801.0) .
ATTIC: the space between the ceiling beams of the top habitable story
and the roof rafters.
-HABITABLE ATTIC: a habitable attic is an attic which has a stairway
as a means of access and egress and in which the ceiling area at a
height of seven and one-third (7-1/3) feet above the attic floor is
not more than one-third (1/3) the area of the floor next below.
AUTOMATIC: a device or system which has the capability of providing
a predetermined function when predetermined conditions exist.
AUTOMATIC COLLAPSIBLE REVOLVING DOOR: (see section 601.0).
AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0).
AUTOMATIC FIRE DOOR: (see section 901.0).
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEAD: (see section 1201.0).
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0).
AUTOMATIC WATER SUPPLY SOURCE: (see section 1201.0).
BASEMENT: a portion of the building partially underground, but hav-
ing less than half its clear height below the grade plane (see cellar) .
BASIC CODE: the State Building Code of the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts, also referred to as this Code.
BAY: (Part of a structure). The space between two (2) adjacent piers
or mullions or between £wo (2) adjacent lines of columns.
BAY WINDOW: a window projecting beyond the wall line of the building
and extending down to the foundations .
BILLBOARD: (see section 1401.0).
BOILER: (see section 1101.0).
BRICK: (see section 801.0).
2-3
BUILDING: (see structure) A structure enclosed within exterior
walls or firewalls, built, erected and framed of a combination
of any materials, whether portable or fixed, having a roof, to
form a structure for the shelter of persons, animals or property.
For the purpose of this definition, "roof" shall include an
awning or any similar covering, whether or not permanent in nature.
The word "building" shall be construed where the context requires
as though followed by the words "or part or parts thereof."
BUILDING (EXISTING) : any structure erected or one for which a legal
building permit has been issued prior to the adoption of the Basic
Code.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER: The administrative chief of the building
department in a municipality who is charged with the adminis-
tration and enforcement of the Basic Code. See also inspector of
buildings. (see section 107.1)
BUILDING COMPONENT: (see section 1901.0)
BUILDING DEPARTMENT: The person, body, agency, department or office
of any municipality charged with the administration and enforce-
ment of the Basic Code.
BUILDING OFFICIAL: The officer or other designated authority charged
with the administration and enforcement of the Basic Code. Building
official as used herein includes the building commissioner or the
inspector of buildings and the local inspector.
BUILDING LINE: The line established by law, beyond which a building
shall not extend, except as specifically provided by law.
BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT: The mechanical, electrical and elevator
equipment, including piping, wiring, fixtures and other accessories,
which provide sanitation, lighting, heating, ventilation, fire-
fighting and transportation facilities essential for the habitable
occupancy of the building or structure for its designated use and
occupancy.
BUILDING SITE: The area occupied by a building or structure, in-
cluding the yards and courts required for light and ventilation,
and such areas that are prescribed for access to the street .
BUILDING SYSTEM: (see section 1901.0)
BUTTRESS: (see section 801.0)
CELLAR: The portion of the building partially underground, having
half or more than half of its clear height below the grade plane.
2-4
CENTRAL STATION SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
CERAMIC SURFACE UNIT: (see section 801.0)
CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY: The certificate issued by the
building official which permits the use of a building in accordance
with the approved plans and specifications and which certifies com-
pliance with the provisions of law for the use and occupancy of the
building in its several parts, together with any special stipula-
tions or conditions of the building permit.
CERTIFICATION: (see section 1901.0)
CHANGE OF USE: An alteration by change of use in a building hereto-
fore existing to a new use group which imposes other special provisions
of law governing building construction, equipment or means of egress.
CHIMNEY: (see section 1001.0)
CHIMNEY CONNECTOR: (see section 1001.0)
CLASSROOM: A room with desks or equivalent used for group instruction
purposes for ten (10) or more students. For the purpose of the
provisions contained in section 460.0, libraries, study halls,
science laboratories, shops, domestic science rooms and typing rooms
shall be considered classrooms for the number of students indicated
in the occupancy schedule.
CLAY MASONRY UNIT: (see section 801.0)
CLOSED SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
COMBUSTIBLE: (see section 901.0)
COMBUSTIBLE (MATERIAL): (see section 901.0)
COLD-FORMED STEEL CONSTRUCTION: (see section 801.0)
COMBINATION OF MUNICIPALITIES: Any two or more cities and/or towns
who have agreed to combine in order to share costs necessary for
the administration and enforcement of the Basic Code in the said
cities and/or towns.
COMBINATION SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
COMBUSTIBLE FIRE DAMPER: (see section 901.0)
COMMENCED: Any physical action begun on the job site for the purposes
of construction, for which a building permit is required.
COMMISSION: (see State Building Code Commission)
COMMON HALLWAY: (see section 601.0)
COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE PROGRAM: (see section 1901.0)
CONCRETE: (see section 801.0)
2-5
CONCRETE BRICK: (see section 801.0)
CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT: (see section 801.0)
CONFLAGRATION HAZARD: (see section 901.0)
CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION: (see sections 128.0 and 701.0)
CONTROLLED MATERIALS: (see sections 701.0 and 722.0)
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT: The construction machinery, tools, derricks,
hoists, scaffolds, platforms, runways, ladders and all material
handling equipment safeguards and protective devices used in
construction operations.
CONSTRUCTION OPERATION: The erection, alteration, repair, renovation,
demolition or removal of any building or structure; and the exca-
vation, filling, grading and regulation of lots in connection
therewith.
CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR: Any individual directly supervising persons
engaged in construction, reconstruction, alterations or repairs
involving the structural elements of buildings and structures.
CORRIDOR: (see passageway, section 601.0)
COURT: (see section 501.0)
CURB LEVEL: The elevation of the street curb as established in accor-
dance with law.
-BUILDING OR WALL HEIGHT: The elevation of the street grade opposite
the center of the wall nearest to and facing the street lot line.
-EXCAVATIONS: The elevation of the street grade nearest to the point
of excavation.
DAY CARE CENTER: Any facility operated on a regular basis whether
known as a day nursery, nursery school, kindergarten, child play
school, progressive school, child development center, or pre-
school, or known under any other name, which receives children not
of common parentage under seven (7) years of age or under sixteen
(16) years of age if such children have special needs for non-
residential custody and care during part or all of the day sep-
arata from their parents. Day care center shall not include:
any part of a public school system; any part of a private,
organized educational system unless the services of such system
are primarily limited to kindergarten, nursery or related pre-
school services; a Sunday school conducted by a religious
2-6
institution; a facility operated by a religious organization where
children are cared for during short periods of time while persons
responsible for such children are attending religious services;
a family day care home, as defined by section nine (9) of chapter
28A of the MGLA as amended; an informal cooperative arrangement
among neighbors or relatives; or the occasional care of children
with or without compensation therefor.
DELUGE SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
DISPLAY SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
DISPLAY SURFACE: (see section 1401.0)
DOORWAY: The clear width of the opening protected by a door, subject
to the width reduction provisions of this Code.
DRAFT HOOD: (see section 1001.0)
DRAFT REGULATOR: (see section 1001.0)
DUCT: (see section 1001.0)
DWELLINGS :
-ONE-FAMILY DWELLING: A building containing one (1) dwelling unit
with not more than three (3) lodgers or boarders. L-3 Use Group.
-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING: A building containing two (2) dwelling units
with not more than three (3) lodgers or boarders per dwelling unit.
L-3 Use Group.
-MULTI-FAMILY APARTMENT HOUSE: Any building or portion thereof used
as a multiple dwelling for the purpose of providing three (3) or
more separate dwelling units with shared means of egress. L-2
Use Group.
-BOARDING HOUSE, TOURIST HOME: A building arranged or used for
lodging, with or without meals, by more than three (3) lodgers or
boarders. L-1 Use Group.
-LODGING HOUSE: Any building or portion thereof arranged or used for
lodging by more than three (3) lodgers or boarders and where cooking
or sanitary facilities may be provided. L-1 Use Group.
-DORMITORY: A space in a unit where group sleeping accommodations are
provided, with or without meals, for persons not members of the same
family group, in one room, or in a series of closely associated
rooms under joint occupancy and single management, as in college
dormitories, fraternity houses, military barracks and ski lodges.
Use Group L-1.
2-7
-HOTEL: Any building containing six (6) or more guest rooms intended
or designed to be used, or which are used, rented or hired out to be
occupied or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by guests.
Use Group L-1.
DWELLING UNIT: One or more rooms arranged for the use of one (1) or
more individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit,
with cooking, living, sanitary and sleeping facilities.
ESCALATOR: (see section 601.0)
EXISTING BUILDING: A building erected prior to the adoption of the
Basic Code, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.
EXITWAY: (see section 601.0)
EXITWAY ACCESS: (see section 601.0)
EXITWAY DISCHARGE: (see section 601.0)
EXITWAY DISCHARGE COURT: (see section 401.0)
EXTERIOR MASONRY WALL CONSTRUCTION: (see section 217.0)
FIRE AREA: The floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls or exterior
walls of a building to restrict the spread of fire.
FIRE DAMPER: (see section 1801.0)
FIRE DISTRICTS: The territories defined and limited by the provisions
of the Basic Code for the restriction of types of construction.
FIRE DIVISION: (see section 901.0)
FIRE DOOR: (see section 901.0)
FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY: (see section 901.0)
FIRE DRILL: (see section 1201.0)
FIRE GRADING: (see sections 202, 901, 902 and Table 9-1)
FIRE HAZARD: (see section 901.0)
FIRE LIMITS: (see section 301.0)
FIRE PARTITION: (see section 901.0)
FIRE PREVENTION: (see section 901.0)
FIRE PROTECTION: (see section 901.0)
2-8
FIRE SAFETY: (see section 901.0)
FIRE SEPARATION: (see section 901.0)
FIRE TOWER: Smokeproof tower (see section 601.0)
FIRE WALL: (see section 901.0)
FIRE WINDOW: (see section 901.0)
FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION: (see section 215.0)
FIRERESISTANCE: (see section 901.0)
FIRERESISTANCE RATING: (see section 901.0)
FIRERESISTIVE PARTITION: (see section 901.0)
FIRERETARDANT CONSTRUCTION: (see section 901.0)
FIRERETARDANT LUMBER: (see section 901.0)
FLAME SPREAD: (see section 901.0)
FLAME SPREAD RATING: (see section 901.0)
FLAMERESISTANCE: (see section 901.0)
FLAMMABLE: (see section 401.0)
FLAMMABLE FILM: (see section 401.0)
FLEXIBLE TUBING: (see section 1001.0)
FLOOR AREA, GROSS: (see section 601.0)
FLOOR AREA, NET: (see section 601.0)
FLOOR FILL: (see section 801.0)
FLOOR FILLING: (see section 801.0)
FLOOR FINISH: (see section 801.0)
FLOOR FURNACE: (see section 1101.0)
FLUE: (see section 1001.0)
FORCED AND INDUCED DRAFT FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES: (see section 1001.0)
FORMED STEEL: (see section 701.0)
FOUNDATION WALL: (see section 701.0)
2-9
FOYER: (see section 401.0)
FRAME CONSTRUCTION: (see section 218.0)
FUEL OIL: (see section 401.0)
GARAGE: (see section 401.0)
GAS VENTS: (see section 1001.0)
GRADE: A reference plane representing the average of finished ground
level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.
GRADE BEAM: A beam of masonry, reinforced concrete or structural steel
incased in concrete at or below grade that receives the load from the
superstructure and transmits it to the foundation.
GRADE HALLWAY: (see section 601.0)
GRANDSTAND: (see section 401.0)
GROUND SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
GROUP RESIDENCE: (see section 433.1)
HABITABLE ROOM: (see section 501.0)
HALLWAY, GRADE: (see section 601.0-Grade hallway)
HALLWAY, COMMON: (see section 601.0-Common hallway)
HAZARD: (Low, moderate, high, see section 901.0).
HEAD OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT: The chief executive officer of the fire
department in a city, town or fire district having such an officer,
otherwise the fire commissioner, board of fire commissioners or fire
engineers, or commissioner of public safety; and in towns not having
a fire department, the chief engineer, if any, otherwise the chairman
of the board of selectmen. The words "head of the fire department"
shall be construed, where the content allows, as though followed
by the words "or person delegated by him."
HEATING APPLIANCES: (see section 1101.0)
HEIGHT, BUILDING: The vertical distance from the grade to the highest
point of the roof. When a building faces more than one street the
height shall be measured from the average of the grade at the center
line of each street front.
-COURT: The vertical distance from the lowest level of the court to
the mean height of the top of the enclosing walls.
-STORY: The vertical distance from top to top of two (2) successive
tiers of beams or finished floor surfaces; and, for the topmost
story, from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling
joists, or, where there is no ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.
2-10
-WALL: The vertical distance from the foundation wall or other
immediate support of such wall to the top of the wall .
HEREAFTER: After the time that the Basic Code becomes effective.
HERETOFORE: Before the time that the Basic Code became effective.
HIGH HAZARD USE: (see section 203.0)
HIGH PRESSURE BOILER: (see section 1101.0)
HOLLOW BRICK: (see section 801.0)
HOOD: (see section 1001.0)
HORIZONTAL EXIT: (see section 601.0)
HORIZONTAL FIRE LINE: (see section 1201.0)
INFLAMMABLE: (see Flammable, section 401.0)
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS: The administrative chief of the building
department in a municipality who is charged with the administration
and enforcement of the Basic Code. See also building commissioner,
(see section 107.1)
INSTALLATION: (see section 1901.0)
INTERIOR LOT LINE: Any lot line other than one adjoining a street
or public space.
KEROSENE: (see section 401.0)
LABEL: (see section 1901.0)
LIGHT GAUGE STEEL CONSTRUCTION: (see section 701.0)
LIGHT-DIFFUSING SYSTEM: (see section 2001.0)
LIMIT CONTROL: (see section 1801.0)
LINTEL: (see section 801.0)
LOAD: (see section 701.0)
LOBBY: (see section 401.0)
LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY: (see section 1901.0)
LOCAL INSPECTOR: A person in a municipality who assists the building
commissioner or inspector of buildings in the performance of his
duties and is charged with the enforcement of the Basic Code,
(see section 107.11)
2-11
LOT: A portion or parcel of land considered as a unit.
-CORNER LOT: One with two (2) adjacent sides abutting upon streets
or other public spaces.
-INTERIOR LOT: One which faces on one street or with opposite sides
on two (2) streets.
LOT LINE: A line dividing one lot from another, or from a street or
any public place.
LOW HAZARD USE: (see section 204.2)
LOW PRESSURE BOILER: (see section 1101.0)
MANUAL FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
MANUFACTURED BUILDING: (see section 1901.0)
MARQUEE: (see section 1401.0)
MARQUEE SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
MASONRY: (see section 801.0)
MEANS OF EGRESS : A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from
any point in a building or structure to a public space and consists
of three (3) separate and distinct parts: (a) the exitway access,
(b) the exitway, and (c) the exitway discharge; a means of egress
comprises the vertical and horizontal means of travel and shall
include intervening room spaces, doors, hallways, corridors, passage-
ways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators,
horizontal exits, courts and yards.
MECHANICAL VENTILATION: (see section 1801.0)
MECHANICAL WARM AIR FURNACE: (see section 1101.0)
MEZZANINE: An intermediate floor between the floor and ceiling of any
story, and covering less than thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3)
percent of the floor area immediately below.
MINIMUM HABITABLE ROOM HEIGHT: (see section 501.0)
MINIMUM HABITABLE ROOM SIZE: (see section 501.0)
MOBILE HOME: (see sections 401.0 and 1901.0)
MOBILE HOME SYSTEM: (see section 1901.0)
MODERATE HAZARD USE: (see section 204.1)
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MORTAR: (see section 801.0)
MOTEL: A hotel as defined in this Code.
MOTOR FUEL SERVICE STATION: (Oil selling station, Gasoline service
station, section 401.0)
MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP: (see section 401.0)
MOVING STAIRWAY: (see section 601.0)
MUNICIPALITY: Any city or town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The word "municipality" shall be construed, where the context requires,
as though followed by the words "or combination of municipalities."
NOMINAL DIMENSION: (see section 801.0)
NON-AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
NONCOMBUSTIBLE BUILDING MATERIAL: (incombustible) (see section 901.0)
NONCOMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: (see section 216.0)
NOTICE: (see section 122.12)
OCCUPANCY: The purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used
or intended to be used.
OCCUPANCY LOAD: The number of individuals normally occupying the
building or part thereof, or for which the exitway facilities have
been designed .
OCCUPANTS: Persons normally located within the building or structure
or part thereof.
OCCUPIABLE ROOM: (see section 501.0)
OCCUPIED: As applied to a building, shall be construed as though
followed by the words "or intended, arranged or designed to be
occupied."
ONE-SOURCE SPRINKLER SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
OPEN SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
ORDINARY MATERIALS: (see section 701.0 and 722.0)
ORIEL WINDOW: A window projected beyond and suspended from the wall
of the building or cantilevered therefrom.
2-13
OWNER: Every person who alone or jointly or severally with others
(a) has legal title to any building or structure; or (b) has care,
charge, or control of any building or structure in any capacity
including but not limited to agent, executor, executrix, adminis-
trator, administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the
holder of legal title; or (c) lessee under a written letting agree-
ment; or (d) mortgagee in possession; or (e) agent, trustee or
other person appointed by the courts. Each such person is bound
to comply with the provisions of the Basic Code.
PANEL: (part of a structure). The section of a floor or wall comprised
between the supporting frame of two (2) adjacent rows of columns and
girders, or column bands of floor construction.
PANEL WALL: (see wall-skeleton or panel)
PARKING STRUCTURE, OPEN: (see section 401.0)
PARTIAL SPRINKLER SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
PARTY WALL: (see section 901.0)
PASSAGEWAY: (see section 601.0-grade hallway)
PENTHOUSE: An enclosed structure above the roof of a building, other
than a roof structure or bulkhead occupying not more than thirty-
three and one-third (33 1/3) percent of the roof area.
PERMIT: An official document or certificate issued by the authority
having jurisdiction authorizing performance of a specified activity.
PERSON: Every individual, partnership, corporation, firm, association,
trustee or group, including a city, town, county, authority or other
governmental unit, owning property or conducting any activity regu-
lated by this Basic Code.
PLACE OF ASSEMBLY: A room or space accommodating fifty (50) or more
individuals for religious, recreational, educational, political,
social or amusement purposes or for the consumption of food and
drink, including all connected rooms or spaces with a common means
of egress and entrance.
PLACE OF OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY: Premises used or intended to be used for
public gatherings of two hundred (200) or more individuals in other
than buildings.
PLASTIC GLAZING: (see section 2001.0)
PLASTIC ROOF PANELS: (see section 2001.0)
2-14
PLASTIC WALL PANEL: (see section 2001.0)
PLENUM CHAMBER: (see section 1801,0)
POLE SIGNS: (see section 1401.0)
POSTED USE AND OCCUPANCY: The posted classification of a building in
respect to use, fire grading, floor load and occupancy load.
POSTED SIGN: The tablet, card or plate which defines the use, occupancy,
fire grading and floor loads of each story, floor or parts thereof for
which the building or part thereof has been approved.
POSTER PANEL: (see section 1401.0)
PRESERVATIVE TREATED WOOD: (see section 801.0)
PRIMARY MEMBER: (see section 701.0)
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER OR ARCHITECT: (see qualified registered profes-
sional engineer or architect)
PROJECTING SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
PROTECTED CONSTRUCTION: That in which all structural members are con-
structed, chemically treated, covered or protected so that the
individual unit or the combined assemblage of all such units has
the required f ireresistance rating specified for its particular use
or application in table 2-5, and includes protected-frame, protected-
ordinary and protected-noncombustible construction.
PUBLIC PARKING DECKS: (see section 401.0)
PUBLIC SPACE: A legal open space on the premises, accessible to a
public way or street, such as yards, courts or open spaces permanently
devoted to public use which abuts the premises.
PYROXYLIN PLASTIC: (see section 401.0)
QUALIFIED REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER OR ARCHITECT: A registered
professional engineer who is qualified by his experience and training
to perform the work for which he is responsible.
RAISED PLATFORM: A raised portion of floor to be used for simple stage
purposes that involves a minimum of fire hazard, so located that it
extends not more than eighteen (18) feet behind the probable curtain
line of the proscenium opening and of an area limited to seventeen and
one-half (17.5) percent of the assembly room floor area of 1,550
square feet, whichever is less.
REFRIGERANT: (see section 1801.0)
REFRIGERATION: (see section 1801.0)
REINFORCED CONCRETE: (see section 801.0)
REINFORCED THERMOSETTING PLASTIC: (see section 2001.0)
2-15
REMOVAL OF BUILDINGS: The moving of a building or structure from one
site to another.
REPAIR: The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing
building for the purpose of its maintenance.
REQUIRED: Shall be construed to be mandatory by provisions of the
Basic Code.
ROOF: The roof slab or deck with its supporting members, not including
vertical supports.
ROOF COVERING: The covering applied to the roof for weather resistance,
f ireresistance or appearance.
ROOF SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
ROOF STRUCTURE: An enclosed structure on or above the roof of any part
of a building.
RUBBLE MASONRY: (see section 801.0)
RUNWAY: (see section 1301.0)
RUPTURE MEMBER: (see section 1801.0)
SCAFFOLD: Any elevated platform which is used for supporting workmen,
materials, or both.
SCHOOLHOUSE: Any building or premise in which a regular course of public
or private instruction is given to not less than ten (10) students
at one time except for rooms in buildings separate from or attached
to churches used for the primary purpose of religious instruction.
SECONDARY MEMBER: (see section 701.0)
SELF-CLOSING: (see section 601.0)
SERVICE EQUIPMENT: (see building service equipment)
SHALL: The term when used in the Basic Code shall be construed as
mandatory.
SHAFT: (see section 901.0)
SLIDESCAPE: (see section 601.0)
SLOW-BURNING PLASTIC: (see check test), (see section 2001.0)
SMOKE DETECTOR: (see section 1801.0)
SMOKEPIPE: (see section 1001.0)
SMOKEPROOF TOWER: (fire tower, see section 601.0)
SMOKESTACK: (see section 1001.0)
SOLID MASONRY UNIT: (see section 801.0)
SPACE HEATER: (see section 1101.0)
SPECIALIZED CODE: All building codes, rules or regulations pertaining
to building construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or
demolition promulgated by and under the authority of the various
agencies which have been authorized from time to time by the General
Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
SPRINKLERED: (see section 1201.0)
STAGE: (see section AOl.O)
STAIRWAY: (see section 601.0)
STANDARD FIRE TEST: (see section 901.0)
STANDPIPE: (see section 1201.0)
STATE BUILDING CODE: The State Building Code and amendments and rules
and regulations thereto as promulgated by the State Building Code
Commission under sections sixteen (16), seventeen (17) and eighteen
(18) of Chapter twenty-three (23)B of the Massachusetts General Laws
Annotated as amended.
STATE BUILDING CODE COMMISSION: The Massachusetts State Building Code
Commission established by section sixteen (16) of chapter twenty-
three (23) B of the Massachusetts General Laws Annotated as amended.
STATE INSPECTOR: An employee of the Division of Inspection, State
Department of Public Safety who is charged with administering and
enforcing the Basic Code relative to any structure or building or
parts thereof that are owned by the Commonwealth or any departments,
commissions, agencies or authorities of the Commonwealth. The
state inspector is also charged with supervising the enforcement
of the Basic Code relative to all buildings and structures other
than those owned by the Commonwealth. (see section 108.2)
STEEL JOIST: (see section 701.0)
STORY: That portion of a building included between the upper surface
of a floor and upper surface of the floor or roof next above. (see
also mezzanine)
STORY, FIRST: A story in which the finished floor is nearest to, and
the ceiling of which is six (6) feet or more above the average grade
of the sidewalk or ground adjoining.
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STREET: A primary thoroughfare or highway thirty (30) feet or more in
width as dedicated or devoted to public use by legal mapping use, or
other lawful means.
STREET LOT LINE: The lot line dividing a lot from a street or other
public space.
STRUCTURAL CLAY TILE: (see section 801.0)
STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBER: (see section 701.0 and 801.0)
STRUCTURE: A combination of materials assembled at a fixed location
to give support or shelter, such as a building, framework, retaining
wall, tent, reviewing stand, platform, bin, fence, sign, flagpole,
recreational tramway, mast for radio antenna or the like. The word
"structure" shall be construed, where the context requires, as
though followed by the words "or part or parts thereof."
SUPERVISED SPRINKLER SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
TECHNICAL CODE COUNCIL: (see section 100.5)
TEMPORARY SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
THEATRE: A building or part thereof in which it is intended to make
a business of the presentation of performances for the entertainment
of spectators, which has a seating capacity of more than four hundred
(400), with a stage which can be used for scenery and other appliances,
(see section 208.1)
THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL: (see section 2001.0)
THERMOSETTING MATERIAL: (see section 2001.0)
TILE: (see section 801.0)
TON OF REFRIGERATION: (see section 1801.0)
TRAVEL TRAILERS: (see section 401.0)
TWO-SOURCE SYSTEM: (see section 1201.0)
UNFIRED PRESSURE VESSEL: (see section 1101.0)
UNIT HEATER: (see section 1101.0)
USE GROUP: The classification of a building or structure based on the
purpose for which it is used.
USE-USED: The purpose for which the building or structure is designed,
used or intended to be used.
VENT: (see section 1001.0)
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VENT CONNECTOR: (see section 1001.0)
VENT DUCT: (see section 1801.0)
VENT PIPE (GAS): (see section 1001.0)
VENT SYSTEM: (see section 1001.0)
VENTILATION: (see section 1801.0)
VERTICAL OPENING: An opening through a floor or roof.
VOLATILE FLAMMABLE: (see section 401.0)
WALL: (see also section 801.0 and section 901.0)
-APRON WALL: That portion of a skeleton wall below the sill of a
window.
-BEARING WALL: A wall supporting any vertical load in addition to its
own weight .
-CURTIN WALL: A non-bearing enclosure wall not supported at each story,
-DIVISION WALL: A wall used to divide the floor area of a building
or structure into separate parts for fire protection, for different
uses, for restricted occupancy, or for other purposes specified in
the Basic Code.
-NON-BEARING WALL: A wall which supports no vertical load other than
its own weight.
-PARAPET WALL: That part of any wall entirely above the roof line.
-RETAINING WALL: A wall designed to prevent the lateral displacement
of soil or other material.
-SKELETON OR PANEL WALL: A non-bearing wall supported by each story
on a skeleton frame.
-SPANDREL WALL: That portion of a skeleton wall above the head of a
window or door.
WALL HEATER: (see section 1101.0)
WALL SIGN: (see section 1401.0)
WARM AIR FURNACE: (see section 1101.0)
WATER CURTAIN: (see section 1201.0)
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WINDER: (see section 601.0)
WRITING: The term shall be construed to include handwriting, type-
writing, printing, photo-offset or any other form of reproduction
in legible sjrmbols or characters.
YARD: (see section 501.0)
ZONING: The reservation of certain specified areas within a community
or city for building and structures, or use of land, for certain
purposes with other limitations such as height, lot coverage and
other stipulated requirements.
SECTION 202.0 USE GROUP CLASSIFICATION
Every building, structure and space therein shall be classified with
respect to use in one of the following use groups: group A, high
hazard; group B, storage; group C, mercantile; group D, industrial;
group E, business; group F, assembly; group H, institutional; group
L, residential; and group M, miscellaneous buildings.
202.1 FIRE GRADING OF BUILDINGS: All buildings and structures shall
be graded in accordance with the degree of fire hazard of their use.
Such fire hazard may be expressed in terms of hours and fractions of
an hour, fire loading or rate of energy contribution, so long as the
building official can adequately relate such fire hazard to the re-
quirements of this code. In case of doubt the building official may
accept an evaluation of fire hazard from a qualified registered pro-
fessional engineer or architect.
202.2 NEW USES: The building official shall establish by approved
rules the degree of hazard involved and the fire grading of any use
not specifically provided for in this Code, or may require the evalua-
tions of such fire hazard by a qualified registered professional en-
gineer or architect.
SECTION 203.0 USE GROUP A, HIGH HAZARD BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified in
the high hazard use group which are used for the storage, manufacture
or processing of highly combustible or explosive products or materials
which are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or which may produce
poisonous fumes or explosions; for storage or manufacturing which in-
volves highly corrosive, toxic or noxious alkalies, acids or other
liquids or chemicals producing flame, fume, explosive, poisonous, ir-
ritant or corrosive gases; and for the storage or processing of any
materials producing explosive mixtures of dust or which result in the
division of matter into fine particles subject to spontaneous ignition.
203.1 LIST OF HIGH HAZARD USES: The processes, materials and manu-
factures listed in table 2-1 are indicative of and shall be included
among high hazard uses .
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TABLE 2-1 - USE GROUP A, HIGH HAZARD USES
Acetylene gas and gases under pressure of fifteen (15) pounds or
more and in quantities of greater than twenty-five hundred (2500)
cubic feet; including hydrogen, illuminating natural, ammonia,
chlorine, phosgene, sulphur dioxide, methyl oxide and all gases
subject to explosion, fume or toxic hazard.
Artificial flowers and synthetic leather manufacture.
Ammunition, explosives and fireworks manufacture.
Celluloid and celluloid products.
Cereal, feed, flour and grist mills.
Cotton batting and cotton waste processes.
Cotton dressmaking.
Dry cleaning establishments using or storing more than three (3)
gallons of gasoline or other hazardous liquids with a flash point
under seventy-five (75) degrees F., or more than sixty (60) gal-
lons of volatile flammable liquids with flash point between
seventy-five (75) and one hundred and forty (140) degrees F., in a
closed-up tester.
Feather renovating.
Fruit ripening processes.
Grain elevators.
Hydrogenation processes.
Industries employing solids or substances which ignite or produce
flammable gases on contact with water.
Kerosene, fuel, lubricating, or any oil storage with a flash point
under two hundred (200) degrees F.
Match manufacture or storage.
Metal enameling or japanning.
Nitro-cellulose film exchanges and laboratories.
Paint and varnish manufacture.
Paint spraying or dipping, except as specified in sections 213.2 and
302.3.
2-21
Petroleum manufacture.
Processing of paper or cardboard in loose form.
Pyroxylin products manufacture and storage.
Rag sorting and storage.
Refrigerating systems using high hazard refrigerants as defined in
article 18.
Shoddy mills.
Shoe polish manufacture.
Smoke houses (industrial) .
Straw goods manufacture or broom corn storage.
Sugar and starch pulverizing mills.
Tar, pitch or resin processing.
Tanneries with enameling or japanning.
Waste paper sorting, shredding, storage or bailing.
SECTION 204.0 USE GROUP B, STORAGE BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified
in the storage use group which are used primarily for the storage
of goods, wares or merchandise, except those that involve highly
combustible or explosive products or materials; including among
others, warehouses, storehouses and freight depots.
204.1 LIST OF MODERATE HAZARD USES: Buildings used for storage of
moderate hazard contents which are likely to bum with moderate
rapidity but which do not produce either poisonous gases, fumes or
explosives, including among others the materials listed in table
2-2, shall be classified in the group B-1 storage use group.
TABLE 2-2 - USE GROUP B-1, STORAGE USES - MODERATE HAZARD
Bags, cloth, burlap and paper Linoleum
Bamboo and rattan Livestock shelters
Baskets Lumber yards
Belting, canvas and leather Motor vehicle repair shops
Books and paper in rolls or packs Petroleum warehouses for storage
Boots and shoes of lubricating oils with a flash
Button, including cloth-covered, point of three hundred (300)
pearl or bone degrees F. or higher (See section
905.3).
2-22
Cardboard and cardboard boxes Photo-engraving
Clothing, woolen wearing apparel Public garages and stables
Cordage Silk
Furniture Soap
Furs Sugar
Glue, mucilage, paste and size Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and snuff
Horn and combs, other than Upholstering and mattress manufacturing
celluloid Wax candles
Leather enameling or japanning
204.2 LIST OF LOW HAZARD USES: Buildings used for the storage of
noncombustible materials, and of low hazard wares that do not ordi-
arily burn rapidly, shall be classified in the B-2 storage use group
unless herein otherwise classified, including among others the ma-
terials listed in table 2-3.
TABLE 2-3 - USE GROUP B-2, STORAGE USES - LOW HAZARD
Asbestos Ivory
Chalk and crayons Metals
Food products Porcelain and pottery
Glass Talc and soapstones
SECTION 205.0 USE GROUP C, MERCANTILE BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified in
the mercantile use group which are used for display and sales purposes
involving stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such pur-
poses and accessible to the public; including among others retail
stores, shops and salesrooms and markets. Highly combustible materials
shall be limited to small quantities that do not constitute a high haz-
ard. Where the hazard of the contents is greater than the normal fire
hazard for such use, the building official may require an evaluation by
a qualified registered professional engineer or architect and based on
such evaluation the building commissioner or inspector of buildings may
require compliance with the requirements of high hazard use groups as
established by the provisions of article 4 and tables 2-5 and 2-6.
SECTION 206.0 USE GROUP D, INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof in which occupants are
engaged in performing work or labor in fabricating, assembling or pro-
cessing of products or materials shall be classified in the industrial
use group; including among other factories, assembling plants, indus-
trial laboratories and all other industrial and manufacturing uses, ex-
cept those involving highly combustible, flammable or explosive products
and materials of the high hazard use group (use group A) .
206.1 LIST OF INDUSTRIAL USES: The processes and manufacturers listed
in table 2-4 shall be indicative of and include the uses permitted in
use group D buildings.
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TABLE 2-4 - USE GROUP D, INDUSTRIAL USES
Bakeries Glass plants
Boiler works Ice plants
Breweries Leather and tanneries, excluding
Canneries, including food products enameling or japanning
Condensed and powdered milk Mlllwork and woodworking
manufacture Sugar refineries
Dry cleaning using other than Tenant factories, excluding ladies'
volatile flammable liquids in dresses and other high hazard uses,
cleaning or dyeing operations Textile mills, including canvas,
or other than classified in cotton cloth, bagging, burlap,
table 1 carpets and rags
Electric light plants and power Upholstery and manufacturing shops
houses Water-pumping plants
Electrolytic reducing works
206.2 SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL USES: All buildings and structures designed
to house low hazard industrial processes , including among others the
production and distribution of electric, gas or steam power and roll-
ing mills and foundries, requiring large areas and unusual heights to
accommodate craneways or special machinery and equipment shall be ex-
empt from the height and area limitations of table 2-6 .
206.21 CONSTRUCTION: Buildings and structures for such low hazard
industrial uses shall comply with the requirements of section 309.0
except as to height and when constructed of noncombustible (type 2-C)
construction may have balconies and mezzanine floors which do not
exceed two-thirds (2/3) the area of the main floor in any one tier.
206.22 ENCLOSURE WALLS: The enclosure walls of buildings of such
low hazard industrial uses shall be constructed of approved noncom-
bustible and weather resisting materials and when located with a fire
separation of less than thirty (30) feet from interior lot lines of
any other building shall be protected or constructed to provide a
f ireresistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
206.23 FIREFIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT: Special use indus-
trial buildings as herein defined shall comply with the requirements
of article 12 for auxiliary fire extinguishing equipment; except that
the provisions of section 309.0 for automatic sprinkler equipment in
imlimited area buildings may be waived by the building official when
such installations would be detrimental or dangerous to the specific
use and occupancy.
SECTION 207.0 USE GROUP E, BUSINESS BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified in
the business use group which are used for the transaction of business,
for the rendering of professional services or for other services that
involve stocks of goods, wages or merchandise in limited quantities
for use incidental to office uses or sample purposes; including among
others offices, banks, civic administration activities, professional
2-24
services, testing and research laboratories, radio stations, telephone
exchanges and other similar establishments.
SECTION 208.0 USE GROUP F, ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified in
the assembly use group which are used or designed for places of assembly
as defined in the Basic Code.
208.1 USE GROUP F-i - THEATRES.
208.11 USE GROUP F-l-A STRUCTURES shall include all theatres and other
buildings used primarily for theatrical or operatic performances and
exhibitions, arranged with a raised stage, proscenium curtain, fixed or
portable scenery or scenery loft, motion picture booth, mechanical
appliances or other theatrical accessories and equipment and provided
with fixed seats.
208.12 USE GROUP F-l-B STRUCTURES shall include all theatres without a
stage and equipped with fixed seats used for motion picture perfor-
mances .
208.2 USE GROUP F-2 STRUCTURES shall include all buildings and places
of public assembly, without theatrical stage accessories, designed for
use as dance halls, night clubs and for similar purposes including all
rooms, lobbies and other spaces connected thereto with a common means of
egress and entrance.
208.3 USE GROUP F-3 STRUCTURES shall include all buildings with or
without an auditorium in which persons assemble for amusement, enter-
tainment or recreation, and incidental motion picture, dramatic, theatrical
or educational presentations, lectures, or other similar purposes,
without theatrical stage other than a raised platform; and principally
used without permanent seating facilities, including art galleries,
exhibition halls, museums, lecture halls, libraries, restaurants other
than night clubs, and recreation centers; and buildings designed for
other similar assembly purposes including passenger terminals.
208.4 USE GROUP F-4 STRUCTURES shall include all buildings used as
churches and for similar religious purposes. Also included are build-
ings used for low density recreation such as swimming pools, tennis and
skating and where there is accommodations of less than 100 spectators.
208.5 USE GROUP F-5 STRUCTURES shall include grandstands, bleachers,
coliseums, stadiums, drive-in theatres, tents and similar structures for
outdoor assembly use and shall comply with the provisions of the Basic
Code for special uses and occupancies, (see article 4).
208.6 USE GROUP F-6 STRUCTURES shall include those buildings, struc-
tures, premises and parts thereof in which a regular course of public or
private instruction is given to not less than ten (10) individuals at
one time. Schools or rooms used for religious instruction which are
under the jurisdiction or administration of a church or other defined
religious body are regulated under Use Group F-4.
F-IB Schoolhouse Use: Schoolhouse structures or parts thereof used
for F-IB assembly shall include all halls without a stage, except for
a raised platform, equipped with fixed seats, and which may be used
2-25
for motion picture performances.
F-3 Schoolhouse Use: Schoolhouse structures shall include all buildings
with or without an auditorium in which persons assemble for amusement,
entertainment or recreation, and incidential motion pictures, dramatic or '
educational presentations, lectures or similar purposes, without a
stage other than a raised platform and principally used without per-
manent seating facilities, including cafeterias and recreation centers;
and buildings designed for other similar assembly purposes.
H Schoolhouse Use: All schoolhouse buildings and structures or parts
thereof shall be classified in the institutional use group in which
people suffering from physical limitations are harbored for medical,
other care or treatment, or in which people are detained for penal or
correctional purposes, or in which the liberty of the inmates is restricted.
H-1 Schoolhouse Use shall include all schoolhouse buildings designed
for the detention of people under restraint, including among others
jails, prisons, reformatories, institutions licensed under the State
Department of Mental Health and similar uses.
H-2 Schoolhouse Use shall include all schoolhouse buildings used for
housing people suffering from physical limitations, including among
others hospitals, sanitariums, infirmaries, orphanages, and institutions
licensed under the State Department of Mental Health, and/or State
Department of Public Welfare, and State Department of Education.
208.7 USE GROUP F-7 STRUCTURES shall include those buildings, struc-
tures, premises and parts thereof which are used to provide a place to
assemble individuals for any use covered by Use Group F, but which i
accoimnodate more than twenty (20) but less than fifty (50) people. Use
Group F-7 structures shall be classified the same as Use Group E.
SECTION 209.0 USE GROUP H, INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified in
the institutional use group in which people suffering from physical
limitations because of health or age are harbored for medical or other
care or treatment, or in which people are detained for penal or cor-
rectional purposes, or in which the liberty of the inmates is restricted.
209.1 USE GROUP H-1 shall include all buildings designed for the detention
of people under restraint including among others jails, prisons, reformatorii
insane asylums and similar uses.
209.2 USE GROUP H-2 shall include all buildings used for housing people
suffering from physical limitations because of health or age, including
among others day nurseries, hospitals, sanitariums, clinics, infirmaries,
orphanages, homes for aged and infirm; and buildings designed for prosecutinj
public or civic services and activities of emergency character, including
among others fire houses, police stations and similar uses.
SECTION 210.0 USE GROUP L, RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
All buildings and structures or parts thereof shall be classified in
2-26
the residential use group, in which families or households live or in
which sleeping accommodations are provided for individuals with or
without dining facilities, excluding those that are classified as
institutional buildings.
210.1 USE GROUP L-1: Use Group L-1 shall include buildings and spaces
that are primarily occupied for the shelter and sleeping accommodation
of individuals on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Such occupancies
shall include hotels, lodging houses, boarding houses and similar
occupancies.
2-26A
210.2 USE GROUP L-2: Use Group L-2 shall include buildings with
three or more dwelling units and other uses intended for living and
sleeping accomodations of families or individuals on a long-term
basis, and which shall include all multiple family dwellings, apart-
ment houses, and dormitories.
210.3 USE GROUP L-3: Use Group L-3 shall include buildings occupied
as one and two-family dwellings. Such buildings shall also include
semi-detached houses which are vertically separated by fire divisions
of the required use group fire grading, and have separate means of
egress directly to the outside which are independent of any other
dwelling unit.
Mobile homes are defined and controlled under the provisions of
article 19.
SECTION 211.0 USE GROUP M, MISCELLANEOUS USES
Structures and buildings of a temporary character and miscellaneous
structures not classified in any specific use group shall be construc-
ted, equipped and maintained to meet the requirements of the Basic
Code commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their
use. Miscellaneous uses shall include all accessory buildings and
structures used as private garages, sheds, fences and similar purposes.
SECTION 212.0 DOUBTFUL USE CLASSIFICATION
When a building or structure is proposed for a use not specifically
provided for in the Basic Code or the classification of which is doubt-
ful, such building or structure shall be included in the use group
which it most nearly resembles in respect to the existing or proposed
life and fire hazard and it shall be so classified by the building
official.
SECTION 213.0 MIXED USE AND OCCUPANCY
213.1 TWO OR MORE USES: When a building is occupied for two (2) or
more uses not included in the same use group, one of the following
shall apply:
a) The provisions of the code applying to each use shall apply
to such parts of the building as come within that use group;
and if there are conflicting provisions, the requirements
securing the greater public safety shall apply to the en-
tire building, or
b) The mixed uses shall be completely separated both horizontally
and vertically by fire separation walls and floor-ceiling as-
semblies having a fireresistance rating corresponding to the
highest fire grading prescribed in table 9-1 for the separate
uses. Each part of the building shall be separately classified
2-27
as to use. The most restrictive height and area limitations
in this Code for the mixed uses shall apply to the entire
building, or except as otherwise provided for in this Code, or
c) The mixed uses shall be completely separated by fire walls
having a f ireresistance rating corresponding to the highest
fire grading prescribed in table 9-1 for the separate uses.
Each group shall then comply with the provisions of this
Code applicable to that group.
213.2 INCIDENTAL USES: Where the higher hazard use is supplemental
to the main use of the building and the area devoted to such use is
constructed and segregated by fireresistive construction as required
in article 4, the building shall be classified according to the main
use.
213.3 FIRE DIVISIONS: When mixed uses are completely sepairated hori-
zontally and vertically from adjoining occupancies by fire divisions
of the highest fire grading prescribed in table 9-1 for the separated
uses, each part of the building shall be separately classified as to
use.
SECTION 214.0 CONSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATION
All buildings, structures, rooms or spaces hereafter altered or
erected shall for the purposes of this Code be classified in one (1) or
a combination of the four (4) construction types herein defined:
Type 1, Fireproof Construction; Type 2, Noncombustible Construction;
Type 3, Exterior Masonry Wall Construction; and Type 4, Frame Con-
struction.
214.1 FALSE DESIGNATION: No building or space shall be designated
a given type of construction unless it conforms to the minimum re-
quirements for that type; and it shall be unlawful to post, or use,
or designate, or advertise a building as of a given type of construc-
tion unless it complies with the minimum code requirements for that
type.
214.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: When a superior type of construction is
used than the minimum herein required for any specified use, height
and area of the building, nothing in the Basic Code shall be construed
to require full compliance with the specifications for the higher tj^e;
but the designated construction classification of the building shall
be that of the lesser requirement, unless all the requirements for
the higher type are fulfilled.
214.3 MIXED CONSTRUCTION: When two or more types of construction
occur within the same structure which is occupied for only one use
group classification, then any of the types of construction must be
able to satisfy the requirements for the use group. If there is
more than one use occupancy of the structure, then the construction
must be able to satisfy the provisions of section 213.1.
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SECTION 215.0 TYPE 1, FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION
Buildings and structures of fireproof construction are those in which
the walls, partitions, structural elements, floors, ceilings, and roofs,
and the exitways are constructed and protected with approved noncombus-
tible materials to afford the f ireresistance specified in table 2-5;
except as otherwise specifically regulated by the provisions of article
9. Fireproof buildings shall be further classified as types 1-A and 1-B.
Fire-retardant treated wood may be used as specified in table 2-5 and
section 903.8.
SECTION 216.0 TYPE 2, NONCOMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION
Buildings and structures of noncombustible construction are those
in which the walls, partitions, structural elements, floors, ceilings,
and roofs, and the exitways are constructed of approved noncombustible
materials meeting the fireresistive requirements specified in table
2-5, and as further regulated in article 9. Noncombustible buildings
shall be further classified as types 2-A, 2-B, and 2-C.
Fire-retardant treated wood may be used as specified in table 2-5
and section 903.8.
SECTION 217.0 TYPE 3, EXTERIOR MASONRY WALL CONSTRUCTION
Buildings and structures of exterior masonry wall construction are
those in which the exterior, fire and party walls are constructed of
masonry or other approved noncombustible materials, of the required
fireresistance and structural properties; and the floors, roofs, and
interior framing are wholly or partly of wood or of metal or other
approved construction; the fire and party walls are ground supported;
except that girders and their supports carrying walls of masonry shall
be protected to afford the same degree of fireresistance of the walls
supported thereon; and all structural elements have the required fire-
resistance rating specified in table 2-5.
217.1 TYPE 3A: Buildings and structures of heavy timber construction
are those in which fire resistance is attained by placing limitations
on the minimum sizes of wood structural members and on minimum thick-
ness and composition of wood floors and roofs; by the avoidance, or by
the proper protection by firestopping or other acceptable means, of
concealed spaces under floors and roofs; by the use of approved fast-
enings, construction details, and adhesives for structural members;
and by providing the required degree of fire resistance in exterior
and interior walls. (See section 852.0 for construction details.)
COLUMNS: Wood columns may be sawn or glued laminated and shall be
not less than eight (8) inches, nominal, in any dimension when
supporting floor loads and not less than six (6) inches, nominal,
in width and not less than eight (8) inches, nominal, in depth when
supporting roof and ceiling loads only.
2-29
FLOOR FRAMING: Beams and girders of wood may be sawn or glued lam-
inated and shall be not less than six (6) inches, nominal, in
width and not less than ten (10) inches, nominal, in depth. Framed
or glued laminated arches which spring from the floor line and sup-
port floor loads shall be not less than eight (8) inches, nominal,
in any dimension. Framed timber trusses supporting floor loads
shall have members of not less than eight (8) inches, nominal, in
any dimension.
ROOF FRAMING: Framed or glued laminated arches for roof construction
which spring from the floor line or from grade and do not support
floor loads shall have members not less than six (6) inches, nominal,
in width and not less than eight (8) inches, nominal, in depth for
the lower half of the height and not less than six (6) inches, nom-
inal, in depth for the upper half. Framed or glued laminated arches
for roof construction which spring from the top of walls or wall
abutments, framed timber trusses, and other roof framing which do
not support floor loads, shall have members not less than four (4)
inches, nominal, in width and not less than six (6) inches, nominal,
in depth. Spaced members may be composed of two (2) or more pieces
not less than three (3) inches, nominal, in thickness when blocked
solidly throughout their intervening spaces or when such spaces are
tightly closed by a continuous wood cover plate of not less than
two (2) inches, nominal in thickness, secured to the underside of
the members. Splice plates shall be no less than three (3) inches,
nominal in thickness. When protected by approved automatic sprink-
lers under the roof deck, framing members shall be not less than
three (3) inches, nominal, in width.
FLOORING: Floors shall be without concealed spaces and shall be of
sawn or glued laminated plank, splined, or tongue-and -groove, of
not less than three (3) inches, nominal, in thickness covered with
one (1) inch, nominal, dimension tongue-and-groove flooring, laid
crosswise or diagonally, or one-half (h) inch pl3njood, or one-half
(Js) inch particle board; or of planks not less than four (4) in-
ches, nominal, in width, set on edge close together and well spiked,
and covered with one (1) inch, nominal, dimension flooring, or one-
half (h) inch plywood, or one-half (%) inch particle board.
ROOF DECKING: Roofs shall be without concealed spaces and roof decks
shall be sawn or glued laminated, splined or tongue-and-groove plank,
not less than two (2) inches, nominal, in thickness, one and one-
eighth (1-1/8) inches thick interior plywood (exterior glue) , or of
planks not less than three (3) inches, nominal, in width, set on edge
close together and laid as required for floors. Other tjrpes of deck-
ing may be used if providing equivalent f ireresistance and structural
properties.
BEARING WALLS: Bearing portions of exterior and interior walls shall
be of approved noncombustible material and shall have a f ireresistance
rating of not less than two (2) hours.
2-30
NON-BEARING WALLS: Nonbearing portions of exterior walls shall be
of approved noncombustible materials except as otherwise noted
and; where a horizontal separation of less than twenty (20) feet
is provided, nonbearing exterior walls shall have a fireresistance
rating of not less than two (2) hours. Where a horizontal separa-
tion of twenty (20) feet to thirty (30) feet is provided, non-
bearing exterior walls shall have a fireresistance rating of not
less than one (1) hour. Where a horizontal separation of thirty
(30) feet or more is provided, no fireresistance rating is required.
Where a horizontal separation of twenty (20) feet or more is pro-
vided, wood columns and arches conforming to heavy timber sizes may
be used externally.
217.2 TYPE 3-B: Structures of type 3-B (ordinary protected) shall
include all exterior masonry wall buildings in which the interior
structural elements are wholly or partly of fire-protected wood of
not less than two (2) inch nominal thickness, or of other approved
protected combustible materials, or of metal protected and insulated
to afford three-quarter (3/4) hour fireresistance rating where speci-
fied in table 2-5.
217.3 TYPE 3-C: Structures of type 3-C (ordinary unprotected) con-
struction shall include all exterior masonry wall buildings in which
the interior structural members are of wood of not less than two (2)
inch nominal thickness or consist of other combustible or noncombus-
tible materials with protection of less than three-quarter (3/4)
hour fireresistance rating.
SECTION 218.0 TYPE 4, FRAME CONSTRUCTION
Buildings and structures of frame construction are those in which
the exterior walls, bearing walls, partitions, floor and roof con-
struction are constructed wholly or partly of wood stud and joist
assemblies with a minimum nominal dimension of two (2) inches, or
of other approved combustible materials; with firestopping at all
vertical and horizontal draft openings as regulated in section 874.0,
and in which the structural elements have the required fireresistance
ratings specified in table 2-5. Frame buildings shall be further
classified as types 4-A and 4-B.
2-31
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2-32
NOTES APPLICABLE TO TABLE 2-5
GENERAL
For special high hazard uses involving a higher degree of fire se-
verity and higher concentration of combustible contents, the firere-
sistance requirements for structural elements shall be increased ac-
cordingly. (See section 400).
SPECIFIC
Note a The fire separation or fire exposure in feet as herein limited
applies to the distance from other buildings on the site, or from an
interior lot line or from the opposite side of a street or other public
space not less than thirty (30) feet wide to the building wall. (See
Definitions, section 901).
Note b Protected exteriors shall be required within the fire limits
in type 2 construction as follows: high hazard uses, two (2) hour fire-
resistance with fire separation up to eleven (11) feet.
Note c One-story buildings of type 2-C construction which do not
exceed three thousand (3000) square feet in area in all use groups
except high hazard assembly and institutional shall be exempt from the
protected exterior wall requirements of table 2-5. (See section 302.4.)
Note d Party walls in type 4 buildings shall be as follows: one and
two-family dwellings, three-quarter (3/4) hour fire resistance. (See
section 907.3) Other uses, except F-6 , two (2) hours, but not less than
the fire grading of the use group (See table 9-1).
z Note e Stair enclosures in all buildings, other than one and two-
family dwellings, which do not exceed three (3) stories or forty (40)
feet in height with an occupancy load of less than forty (40) below and
less than seventy-five (75) above the grade floor shall be of not less
than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance. In buildings of types 3
or 4 construction, such three-quarter (3/4) hour enclosures may be of
combustible construction as provided in section 618.92.
Fire enclosures of exitways, exitway hallways, and stairways in
schoolhouse buildings which do not exceed three (3) stories in height
shall be of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance.
Note f In all buildings, except F-6 use group, in which the roof
framing may be unprotected, roof slabs and decking may be noncombustible
without fire resistance rating except that in buildings not more than
five (5) stories in height, roof decking may be of mill type construction
or of any other materials providing equivalent f ireresistant and struc-
tural properties. (See sections 217 and 915.)
Note g In Type 3A construction members which are of material other
than heavy timber shall have a f ireresistance rating of not less than
three-quarter (3/4) hour.
Note h Fire-Retardant Treated Wood, complying with section 903.72,
may be used as provided in section 903.8.
2-33
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2-34
NOTES TO TABLE 2-6
GENERAL
For all buildings, except F-6 of type 3B construction, which have more
than twenty-five (25) percent of the building perimeter fronting on a
street or other unoccupied space which is at least thirty (30) feet wide
and has unrestricted accessibility for fire equipment and apparatus, the
tabular area may be increased by two (2) percent for each one (1) percent
of such perimeter excess above the twenty-five (25) percent.
Example : Perimeter = 400 feet
Accessible Perimeter = 300 feet
1. 25% of 400 feet = 100 feet
2. Excess of accessible perimeter
accessible perimeter = 300 feet
25% deduction = 100 feet
Excess of accessible perimeter = 200 feet
3. Percentage of excess = 200 x 100% = 50%
400
4. Increase allowable = 2 x 50% = 100%
A one-hundred (100) percent increase in the tabular area is allowed,
thus doubling the allowable area.
SPECIFIC
Note a In use groups B-1, B-2, C, D, E and F-4, the tabular areas may
be increased two hundred (200) percent for one (1) story buildings and
one hundred (100) percent for buildings over one (1) story in height
when such buildings are equipped with automatic sprinkler systems not
specifically required by law. (See section 308) .
Note b Type 1 buildings permitted unlimited tabular heights and areas
are not subject to special requirements that allow increased heights and
areas for other types of construction.
Note c In use groups B, C, D, E and F-3 , isolated buildings of other
than frame construction may be of unlimited areas outside of the fire
limits when not more than one (1) story or eighty-five (85) feet in
height when complying with specific provisions of the Basic Code. (See
section 309) .
Note d In use groups B-1, B-2, C, D and E types 1, 2 and 3 construction
may be increased one (1) story but not more than twenty (20) additional
feet in height when equipped with automatic sprinkler systems not
specifically required by law. (See section 310.2).
Note e Church auditoriums of type 3-A construction may be erected to
sixty-five (65) feet in height, and of type 4 construction to forty-five
(45) feet in height.
Note f For exceptions to height and area limitations of high hazard
use buildings, see article 4 governing the specific use. For
2-35
other special f ireresistive requirements governing specific uses, see
section 905.
Note g For height and area exceptions covering public parking decks,
see section 905.2.
Note h For height and area exceptions covering petroleum bulk-storage
buildings, see section 905.3.
Note i For exceptions to height of multi-family dwellings of types 2-
B and 3-B construction, see section 905.6
Note j For one (1) story combustible fibre warehouses, see section
408.3.
Note k The tabular area of one (1) story school buildings of use
group F-4 may be increased two hundred (200) percent provided every
classroom has at least one door opening directly to the exterior of the
building. Not less than one-half (%) of the required exitways from any
assembly room included in such buildings shall also open directly to the
exterior of the building.
Note 1 For exception to area limitations for one (1) story buildings
of type 2, 3-A and 3-B construction, see section 309.11.
Note m The tabular area for 4A construction shall be limited to 6,300
square feet for F-IB, F-3, and F-4 schoolhouse use and to 3,600 square
feet for F-IA schoolhouse use.
Note n The first story in the two (2) story portions of buildings of
this type of construction shall be constructed of the next most fire-
resistive type of construction, i.e., type 2B and 2C. For the purposes
of this table, concrete filled steel tube columns shall be considered to
have the equivalent of a three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance rating.
2-36
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL BUILDING LIMITATIONS
SECTION 300.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall control the division of the
municipalities of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts into fire districts
and the general limitations of height and area of all buildings here-
after erected, and extensions to existing buildings hereafter altered or
enlarged as affected by the fire and life hazard incident to type of
construction, use group, density of development, exterior exposure and
accessibility of buildings and structures to fire-fighting facilities
and equipment.
SECTION 301.0 FIRE DISTRICT SUBDIVISIONS
For the purpose of control of use and construction of buildings, the
building official may establish limiting districts designated Fire
District No. 1, Fire District No. 2 and Outside Fire Limits under the
legal procedure of the municipalities of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts for creating and establishing fire districts.
NOTE A: NUMBER OF FIRE DISTRICTS. - The number of fire dis-
tricts to be established will depend upon the prevailing char-
acter of construction and typical development of the specific
locality. In large cities, two (2) fire districts are gener-
ally desirable while in cities of moderate size and in small
political subdivisions, one fire district may be adequate to
provide for the fire hazard inherent in concentrated commercial
and manufacturing occupancies. The fire district should in-
clude all those areas of the municipality in which buildings
of business, mercantile, industrial, storage and other use
groups of similar fire and conflagration hazard are concen-
trated. If provision is made for only one fire district, the
restrictions herein prescribed for Fire District No. 1 will
be applicable to such district.
301.1 FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1: Fire District No. 1 shall comprise the
areas housing highly congested business, commercial, manufacturing and
industrial uses or in which such uses are developing.
301.2 FIRE DISTRICT NO. 2: Fire District No. 2 shall comprise the
areas housing residential uses (use groups L-1 and L-2) , together with
retail stores, business and amusement centers, or in which such uses are
developing.
301.3 OUTSIDE FIRE LIMITS: All other areas not included in Fire
District Nos. 1 and 2 shall be designated as Outside Fire Limits.
3-1
SECTION 302.0 GENERAL FIRE DISTRICT PROVISIONS
302.1 CHANGES IN DISTRICTS: Any changes in the boundaries of fire
districts or changes of designation of any area from one fire dis-
trict to another fire district shall be established by the local
municipality.
302.2 OVERLAPPING DISTRICTS: A building or structure located in
more than one fire district shall be deemed to be in that one of the
three districts which contains the major part of the building area;
and in the event of equal distribution in two or more districts, the
limitations of the most restricted district shall apply.
302.3 HIGH HAZARD USES: Except as specifically approved by the
municipal authorities, all buildings of high hazard use (use group
A) shall be prohibited from location in Fire District No. 1. Paint
spray, drying rooms and rooms for similar incidental uses not ex-
ceeding one thousand (1000) square feet in area in industrial build-
ings shall be permitted when enclosed in f ireresistive construction
as specified in article 4 for special uses and occupancies and when
segregated by fire divisions of the required fireresistance specified
in table 9-1.
302.31 PROTECTED EXTERIORS: All buildings of type 2 construction
for high hazard uses (use group A) within the fire districts shall
be constructed with walls of two (2) hours fireresistance when lo-
cated within eleven (11) feet of interior lot lines or any buildings
on the same lot.
302.4 NONCOMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION EXEMPTIONS: One (1) story build-
ings of type 2-C construction which do not exceed three thousand
(3000) square feet in area in all use groups except high hazard,
assembly and institutional shall be exempt from all protected ex-
terior wall requirements .
302.5 FRAME CONSTRUCTION: No building of frame construction (type
4) shall be erected within the fire districts nor shall such build-
ing or structure be moved from without to within, or from one lot to
another with the fire districts, except as provided in sections 303
and 304; and no building of otherwise lawful construction shall be
extended in height or area within the fire districts by frame con-
struction; except that one-and two-family frame dwellings may be ex-
tended in area by not more than three hundred (300) square feet and
to a height of not more than two and one-half (2h) stories nor more
than thirty-five (35) feet.
302.6 ROOF COVERINGS: All roof coverings shall be constructed of
Class A, Class B or Class C roofings, complying with the provisions
of article 9.
SECTION 303.0 RESTRICTIONS OF FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1
All buildings and structures, and all additions to existing build-
ings and structures, hereafter erected within the boundaries of Fire
3-2
District No. 1 shall be of fireproof (type 1), protected noncombus-
tible (types 2-A and 2-B) , heavy timber (tjrpe 3-A) , or ordinary pro-
tected (type 3-B) construction as defined in article 2 and regulated
in table 2-5; and shall be constructed within the height and area limi-
tations of table 2-6; except as herein provided.
Open parking structures may be constructed as permitted under
section 905.2.
303.1 FENCES: Fences not over six (6) feet in height may be erected
of frame (type A) construction.
303.2 STORM ENCLOSURES: Storm enclosures may be erected of frame
construction not more than ten (10) feet in height and not more than
three (3) feet wider than the entrance doors which they serve, provided
they do not project more than six (6) feet beyond the building line.
303.3 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
303.31 OUTBUILDINGS AND PARKING LOT OFFICES: Outbuildings and park-
ing lot offices not more than ten (10) feet in height and one hundred
(100) square feet in area may be erected of frame (type 4) construction
when accessory to one- or two-family dwelling on the same lot or acces-
sory to a lot approved for motor vehicle parking, when located not less
than six (6) feet from the lot line or any other building.
303.32 GREENHOUSES: Greenhouses and similar structures may be erected
of frame (t3rpe 4) construction when accessory to a one- or two-family
dwelling on the same lot and when located not less than six (6) feet
from interior lot lines or any building.
303.4 SHEDS: Sheds open on the long side not more than fifteen (15)
feet in height nor more than five hundred (500) square feet in area
may be erected of frame (type 4) construction when located not less
than six (6) feet from the lot lines.
303.5 BUILDERS' SHANTIES AND REVIEWING STANDS: Temporary builders'
shanties erected in connection with approved building operations,
platforms, reviewing stands, and other similar miscellaneous structures
may be erected of frame (type 4) construction for a limited period of
time as approved by the building official.
303.6 PRIVATE GARAGES: Private garages not more than one (1) story
nor more than fifteen (15) feet in height when accessory to a one-
or two-family dwelling may be erected of protected frame (type 4-A)
construction not more than seven hundred and fifty (750) square feet
in area, or of frame (type 4-B) construction not more than five hun-
dred (500) square feet in area, when located not less than six (6)
feet from interior lot lines or any building.
303.7 BINS, TANKS, TOWERS AND ROOF STRUCTURES
303.71 TIMBER CONSTRUCTION: Coal and material bins, water towers,
tank structures and trestles may be erected of mill type heavy timber
construction with dimensions not less than required for type 3-A con-
struction, not over thirty-five (35) feet in height, when located
3-3
thirty (30) feet from the interior lot lines or any building, except
when located on lot lines along a railroad right of way or waterfront.
303.72 STRUCTURES ON BUILDINGS: Aerial supports not more than twelve
(12) feet in height, water tanks and flag poles may be erected of wood
on buildings, not more than three (3) stories nor more than forty (40)
feet in height, and drip bars in cooling towers may be constructed of
wood.
303.8 MOTOR FUEL SERVICE STATIONS: Gasoline service stations, and
structures of similar business uses, not including high hazard uses,
may be erected of unprotected noncombustible (type 2-C) construction
within the height and area limits of use group E of table 2-6 pro-
vided thay are located less than eleven (11) feet from the lot line
or any building.
303.9 BUS AND PASSENGER TERMINALS: Roofs over parking lots, bus and
passenger terminals may be erected one story and not over twenty (20)
feet in height and not more than eleven thousand (11,000) square feet
in area of noncombustible (tj^e 2-C) construction or of heavy timber
mill (type 3-A) construction.
303.10 STORE FRONTS: Wood veneers of one (1) inch nominal thickness
or exterior grade plywood not less than three-eighths (3/8) inch thick
may be used on store fronts when facing public streets; provided the
veneer does not exceed one (1) story in height and is applied to non-
combustible backing or is furred not to exceed one and five-eighths
(1-5/8) inch and firestopped in accordance with sections 874 and 912.2.
SECTION 304.0 RESTRICTIONS OF FIRE DISTRICT NO. 2
All buildings and structures hereafter erected within the bounda-
ries of Fire District No. 2 shall be fireproof (tjrpe 1), noncombusti-
ble (type 2) or exterior masonry wall (type 3) construction as regu-
lated by table 2-5 and shall be constructed within the height and area
limitations of table 2-6; except that all the variations permitted in
Fire District No. 1 shall apply to permissible construction in Fire
District No. 2 with the following additional exceptions:
304.1 DWELLINGS: One and two-family dwellings (use group L-3) may
be erected of protected frame (type 4-A) construction when not less
than three (3) feet from interior lot lines and of unprotected frame
(type 4-B) construction when not less than six (6) feet from interior
lot lines within the height and area limitations of table 2-6. Roof
coverings shall be of Class A, B or C roofings complying with the pro-
visions of article 9.
304.2 VERANDAS: Verandas, balconies, entrance porticos and similar
appurtenant structures on dwellings, not exceeding ten (10) feet in
depth nor projecting more than two (2) feet above the second story
floor beams may be erected of frame (tjrpe 4-B) construction provided
they do not extend nearer than five (5) feet to the lot line. When
connected to a similar structure of an adjoining building, they sh£ill
be separated therefrom by walls of two (2) hour fireresistance.
3-4
304.3 BOAT HOUSFS: Boat houses not more than two (2) stories nor
more than thirty (30) feet in height nor more than one thousand
(1000) square feet In area may be erected of frame (type 4-B) con-
struction.
304.4 EXTERIOR TRIM: Wood cornices and half timbering may be
erected on residence (use group L) and business (use group C, D
£.nd E) buildings; and existing openings in exterior walls of ma-
sonry enclosed buildings (type 3-A, 3-B and 3-C) which are not re-
quired for ventilation or access r)urposeS: may be filled in with
-•-ood studs, metal lath and stucco or other approved construction
cf eaual f ireresistance.
SECTION 305.0 RESTRICTIONS OUTSIDE FIRE LIMITS
Outside the fire limits, all types of construction exceut as
iiereln specifically prohibited, or for which SDecial approval is
required in connection with high hazard uses and occupancies in
article 4, shall be permitted within the height and area limita-
tions of table 2-6.
305.1 LOT LINE SEPARATION: In frame construction an exterior wall
erected less than six (6) feet from its adjacent lot line shall be
cf three-quarter (3/^) hour fireresistive construction, including
opening protectives except store front and window and door openings
in one- and two-familv dwellings, out in no case shall such wall be
located less than three (3) feet from interior lot lines.
305.2 ROOF COVERINGS: Roof coverings shall conform to the fire-
resistive requirements for Class A. B, C or non-rated roofings com-
plying with the provisions of sections 903 and 928.
SECTION 306.0 EXISTING BUILDINGS
306.1 ALTERATIONS
306.11 LIMITATIONS: Nothing in these provisions shall be deemed
to prohibit alterations within the limitations of section 106.0
provided no unlawful change of use is involved.
306.12 MINOR CHANGES: Changes, alterations or repairs to the in-
terior of a building and to the front facing a street or other
public space may be permitted provided such changes, in the opinion
of the building official, do not increase the size, or the fire
hazard of the building, or endanger the public safety and are not
specifically prohibited by this Code.
306.13 EXISTING PROJECTIONS: No change or enlargement shall be
made to an existing part of a building now projecting beyond the
street lot line or building line where such is established by law,
except in conformity to the provisions of section 312 governing
new construction.
3-5
306.2 INCREASE IN HEIGHT AND AREA: It shall be unlawful to in-
crease the height or area of an existing building or structure unless
it is of a type of construction permitted for new buildings of the
increased height and area and use group within the fire district in
which it is located and as regulated by table 2-6.
306.3 EXISTING EXCESSIVE AREA: Any building heretofore lawfully
approved which exceeds the maximum allowable area specified in table
2-6 may be extended if the addition is separated from the existing
building by an approved fire wall or fire division meeting the re-
quirements of article 9 and table 2-5 and the additional area does
not exceed the limits of table 2-6 for the specific use group and type
of construction.
307.0 GENERAL AREA AND HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
All buildings, structures and parts thereof erected or altered
shall be subject to the requirements of table 2-5 and table 2-6 for
the appropriate type of construction and use groups classification
involved subject to any specific modifications ana exceptions allowed
in this code.
307.1 AREA LIMIT: The area limitations specified in table 2-6 shall
apply to all buildings fronting on a street, or public space not
less than thirty (30) feet in width accessible to a public street.
307.2 HEIGHT LIMIT: The height in feet and number of stories speci-
fied in table 2-6 shall apply to all buildings and to all separate
parts of a building enclosed within lawful fire walls complying with
the provisions of article 9.
307.3 MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS: Buildings more than one story in height
shall be subject to the area requirements of the table 2-6 and modi-
fied by the following table of factors:
TABLE 3
-1
PERCENT REDUCTION
IN
THE AREA LIMITS
OF TABLE 2-6
No.
of
Stories
lA & IB
2A
2B
2C
3A & 3B
3C
4A & 4B
1
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
2
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
3
None
5%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
4
None
10%
20%
20%
20%
20%
5
None
15%
30%
30%
6
None
20%
40%
40%
7
None
25%
50%
8
None
30%
60%
9
None
35%
70%
10
None
3-6
SECTION 308.0 AREA EXCEPTIONS
The provisions of this section shall modify the area limits of table
2-6 as herein specified. Section 308.1 shall not apply to F-6
use group buildings of type 3B construction.
308.1 STREET FRONTAGE INCREASE: When a building or structure has more
than twenty-five (25) percent of the building perimeter fronting on a
street or other accessible unoccupied space not less than thirty (30)
feet in width leading to a street, the tabular areas may be increased
two (2) percent for each one (1) percent of such excess frontage.
308.2 SPRINKLER INCREASE: When a building is equipped with an approved
one (1) source automatic sprinkler system, unless such sprinkler system
is required by the provisions of article 4 for structures of special use
and occupancy, the tabular values may be increased by two hundred (200)
percent for one (1) story buildings and one hundred (100) percent for
buildings more than one (1) story in height.
308.3 MAXIMUM TOTAL AREA: The maximum total area under the combined
provisions of sections 308.1 and 308.2 shall not exceed three and one-
half (3^) times the tabular area in table 2-6.
SECTION 309.0 UNLIMITED AREAS
309.1 ONE-STORY BUILDINGS: In other than frame construction, the area
of all buildings of assembly (use group F-3) , business, industrial
mercantile and storage use groups not including high hazard uses, which
do not exceed one (1) story or eighty-five (85) feet in height shall not
be limited outside the fire limits; provided the exitway facilities
comply with the provisions of section 604, an automatic sprinkler system
is provided complying with the provisions of section 1212.0 and the
building is isolated as specified in section 309.2 except that a sprink-
ler system shall not be required for buildings of type 2 or type 3A
construction used exclusively for storage of noncombustible material not
packed or crated in combustible material or as exempt by section 206.2
for special industrial uses.
309.11 SCHOOL BUILDINGS: School buildings, use group F-6, shall be
subject to the provisions of Reference Standard F-6, Building Regu-
lations for Schoolhouses , of the State Building Code Commission.
309.2 FIRE SEPARATION: The minimum fire separation on any side of one
(1) story buildings of unlimited area shall be determined by the type of
construction and f ireresistance rating of the exterior wall adjacent
thereto as herein specified:
3-7
Type of
Construction
Fireresistance
Fireresistance rating of bear-
Rating of Minimum ing & nonbearing Minimum
Exterior Fire portions of Fire
Bearing Walls Separation** exterior walls Separation
2A
2B
2C
2 hr.
3/4 hr.
hr.
30 ft.
40 ft.
50 ft.
2 hr.*
3 hr.**
30 ft.
30 ft.
3A
3B
3C
2 hr.
2 hr.
2 hr.
40 ft.
40 ft.
50 ft.
3 hr.**
3 hr.**
4 hr.**
30 ft.
30 ft.
30 ft.
* All exterior wall openings shall be protected with one and one-half
rated approved opening protectives.
** All exterior wall openings shall be protected with three hour rated
approved opening protectives.
*** When the fire separation exceeds the herein specified minimum, the
requirements of Table 2-5, Row 1 (Exterior Walls with Fire Separation of
30 ft. or more: Bearing) shall apply.
SECTION 310.0 HEIGHT EXCEPTIONS
310.1 ROOF STRUCTURES: In applying the provisions of the Basic Code
governing height limits, the following appurtenant structures shall
not be included in the height of the building: roof tanks and their
supports; ventilating, air conditioning and similar building service
equipment; roof structures other than penthouses; chimneys and para-
pet walls not exceeding four (4) feet in height; unless the aggregate
area of such structures including penthouses, exceeds one-third (1/3)
of the area of the roof of the building upon which they are erected.
310.2 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS: Except in buildings where automatic
sprinkler equipment is a requirement of article 4 or article 12 for
special uses or occupancies, all structures of fireproof (type 1),
noncombustible (type 2), and exterior masonry wall (type 3) con-
struction, designed for business, industrial, mercantile, low or
moderate hazard storage uses may be erected one (1) story or twenty
(20) feet higher than specified in table 2-6 when equipped with an
approved one-source automatic sprinkler system.
311.0 STREET ENCROACHMENTS
No part of any building hereafter erected and no additions to an
existing building heretofore erected shall project beyond the lot
lines or beyond the building line when such line is established by
3-8
the zoning law or any other statute controlling building construction,
and irrespective of any other allowance for such encroachments, the
following regulations shall apply:
311.1 BELOW GRADE: No part of a building hereafter erected below
grade that is necessary for structural support of the building shall
project beyond the lot lines except that the footings of street walls
or their supports located at least eight (8) feet below grade may pro-
ject not more than twelve (12) inches beyond the street lot line.
311.2 ABOVE GRADE: All projections hereafter permitted beyond the
street lot line or the building lot line above grade shall be so con-
structed as to be readily removable without endangering the safety of
the building.
311.3 PROJECTIONS NECESSARY FOR SAFETY: In any specific application,
the building official may designate by approved rules such architec-
tural features and accessories which are deemed desirable or necessary
for the health or safety of the public and the extent to which they
may project beyond the street lot line or the building line where
such is established by statute, subject to all provisions and re-
structions that may be otherwise prescribed by law, ordinance or
rule of the authorities having jurisdiction over streets or public
spaces.
311.4 PERMIT REVOCABLE: Any permit granted or permission expressed
or implied in the provisions of the Basic Code to construct a build-
ing so as to project beyond the street lot line or building line
shall be revocable by the municipality at will.
311.5 EXISTING ENCROACHMENTS: Parts of existing buildings and struc-
tures which already project beyond the street lot line or building
line may be maintained as constructed until their removal is directed
by the proper municipal authorities.
SECTION 312.0 PERMISSIBLE STREET PROJECTIONS
Subject to such provisions as may be otherwise prescribed by law
or ordinance, or by rule of the municipal authorities having juris-
diction over streets, highways, and public spaces, the following
projections shall be permitted beyond the street lot line or the
building line, as the case may be:
312.1 MAIN CORNICES OR ROOF EAVES located at least twelve (12) feet
above the curb level shall project not more than three (3) feet;
312.2 BELT COURSES, LINTELS, SILLS, ARCHITRAVES, PEDIMENTS and simi-
lar architectural decorations shall project not more than four (4)
inches when less than ten (10) feet above the curb level, and not
more than ten (10) Inches when ten (10) feet or more above the curb
level;
3-9
312.3 ORNAMENTAL COLUMNS, OR PILASTERS including the bases and mold-
ings which emphasize the main entrance of the building shall project
not more than twelve (12) inches;
312.4 ENTRANCE STEPS shall project not more than twelve (12) inches
and shall be guarded by cheek pieces not less than three (3) feet
high or shall be located between ornamental columns or pilasters;
312.5 ORIEL WINDOWS with the lowest position at least ten (10) feet
above the curb level shall project not more than two and one-half
(2%) feet;
312.6 BALCONIES located at least ten (10) feet above the curb level
shall project not more than three (3) feet except that when the bal-
cony is required in connection with a fire escape or exterior stair-
way as an element of a means of egress, the projection may be increased,
but not to exceed four (4) feet.
312.7 AWNINGS AND MARQUEES.
312.71 AWNINGS: Retractable or fixed awnings shall have clearances
above the grade and shall be installed in accordance with the require-
ments of section 315.
312.72 MARQUEES: For the purpose of this section a marquee shall in-
clude any object or decoration attached to or a part of sail marquee.
PROJECTION AND CLEARANCE - The horizontal clearance between a mar-
quee and the curb line shall be not less than two-thirds (2/3) of
the distance from the property line to the curb shall be not less
than ten (10) feet above the ground or pavement below.
THICKNESS - The maximum height or thickness of a ma.-quee measured
vertically from its lowest to its highest point shall not exceed
three (3) feet when the marquee projects more than two-thirds (2/3)
of the distance from the property line to the curb line and shall
not exceed nine (9) feet when the marquee is less than two-thirds
(2/3) of the distance from the property line to the curb line.
ROOF CONSTRUCTION - The roof or any part thereof may be a skylight
of approved plastics, or wired glass not less than one-fourth (h)
inch thick with no single pane more than eighteen (18) inches wide.
Every roof and skylight of a marquee shall be sloped to downspouts
which shall conduct any drainage from the marquee in a manner not
to spill over the sidewalk.
LOCATION PROHIBITED - Every marquee shall be so located as not to
interfere with the operation of any exterior standpipe or to ob-
struct the clear passage of stairways or exitway discharge from
the building or the installation or maintenance of street lighting.
CONSTRUCTION - A marquee shall be supported entirely from the build-
ing and constructed of noncombustible material. Marquees shall be
designed and constructed to withstand wind of other lateral loads
3-10
and live loads as required in article 7 of this Code. Structured
members shall be protected to prevent deterioration as required
by article 8.
312.8 AWNING COVERS OR BOXES located at least eight (8) feet above
the curb level shall project not more than three (3) feet.
SECTION 313.0 PERMISSIBLE YARD AND COURT ENCROACHMENTS
No part of any building or structure shall extend into side courts,
inner courts or yards required for light and ventilation of habitable
and occupiable rooms by the provisions of article 5, or of the zoning
law or other statutes controlling building construction, except as
hereinafter provided; but in no case shall the encroachment exceed
twenty (20) per cent of the legal area of yard or court required for
light and ventilation purposes.
313.1 ROOF EAVES shall project not more than three (3) feet beyond
the face of the wall.
313.2 STEPS AND ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES: Steps, window sills, belt
courses and similar architectural features, rain leaders and chimneys
shall project not more than two (2) feet beyond the face of the wall.
313.3 EXTERIOR STAIRWAYS AND FIRE ESCAPES: Outside stairways, smoke-
proof tower balconies, fire escapes or other required elements of a
means of egress shall project not more than four (4) feet beyond the
face of the wall.
SECTION 314.0 SPECIAL AND TEMPORARY PROJECTIONS
314.1 ALLEY PROJECTIONS: The permissible projection beyond street
lot lines shall apply in general to building projections into alley-
ways except as may be modified by the local administrative authority
having jurisdiction or by special deed restriction.
314.2 SPECIAL PERMITS: When authorized by special permit, vestibules
and storm doors may be erected for periods of time not exceeding seven
(7) months in any one year, and shall project not more than three (3)
feet nor more than one-fourth (h) the width of the sidewalk beyond the
street lot line. Temporary entrance awnings may be erected with a
minimum clearance of seven (7) feet to the lowest portion of the hood
or awning when supported on removable steel or other approved noncom-
bustible supports.
SECTION 315.0 AWNINGS AND CANOPIES
315.1 PERMIT: A permit shall be obtained from the building official
for the erection, repair or replacement of any fixed awning, canopy
or hood except as provided in section 315.11, and for any retractable
awning located at the first story level and extending over the public
3-11
street or over any portion of a court or yard beside a building ser-
ving as a passage from a required exitway discharge to a public street.
315.11 EXEMPTION FROM PERMIT: No permit shall be required for the
erection, repair or replacement of fixed or retractable awnings in-
stalled on one- and two-family dwellings, unless they project over
public property, or for retractable awnings installed above the first
story or where the awning does not project ober the public street or
over any court or yard serving as a passage from a required exitway
to a public street.
315.2 INSTALLATION OF AWNINGS.
315.21 RETRACTABLE AWNINGS: There shall be a minimum clearance of
seven (7) feet from the sidewalk to the lowest part of the framework
or any fixed portion of any retractable awning, except that the bottom
of the valance of canvas awnings may extend to six (6) feet nine (9)
inches above the sidewalk. Retractable awnings shall be securely
fastened to the building and shall not extend closer than twelve (12)
inches from the curb line. They shall be equipped with a mechanism
or device for raising and holding the awning in a retracted or closed
position against the face of the building.
315.22 FIXED OR PERMANENT AWNINGS: The clearance from the sidewalk
to the lowest part of any fixed or permanent awning shall be the same
as required in section 315.21 for retractable awnings. Fixed or per-
manent awnings installed above the first story shall not project more
than four (4) feet.
315.3 CANOPIES: Canopies shall be constructed of a metal framework,
with an approved covering, attached to the building at the inner end
and supported at the outer end by not more than two (2) stanchions
with braces anchored in an approved manner and placed not less than
two (2) feet in from the curb line. The horizontal portion of the
framework shall be not less than eight (8) feet nor more than twelve
(12) feet above the sidewalk and the clearance between the covering
or valance and the sidewalk shall be not less than seven (7) feet.
The width of canopies shall not exceed eight (8) feet.
315.4 SPECIAL APPLICATIONS OF AWNINGS: Rigid awnings supported in
whole or part by members resting on the ground and used for patio
covers, car ports, summer houses or other similar uses shall comply
with the requirements of section 315.5 for design and structure. Such
structures shall be braced as required to provide rigidity.
315.5 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION: Fixed awnings, canopies and similar
structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind or
other lateral loads and live loads as required by article 7 of the
Basic Code with due allowance for shape, open construction and simi-
lar features that relieve the pressures or loads. Structural members
shall be protected to prevent deterioration.
3-12
SECTION 316.0 SUBDIVISION OF ATTIC SPACES
The attic spaces of all buildings, except where the roof and attic
are of noncombustible or fireproof construction, shall be subdivided
into areas not exceeding three thousand (3,000) square feet by means
of approved fire stops. When doors or other openings are provided in
such subdividing partitions, they shall be of noncombustible or simi-
larly protected materials and the construction shall be tightly fitted
around all ducts or other assemblies piercing such partitions.
SECTION 317.0 TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
Pursuant to a variance granted by the local board of appeals under
rhe provisions of section 126.0, the building official may issue a
permit for temporary construction as approved by the board of appeals.
Such permits shall be limited as to time of service, but in no case
2hall such temporary construction be permitted for more than one year.
017.1 SPECIAI. APPROVAL: All temporary construction shall conform to
structural strength, lire safety, means of egress, light, ventilation
and sanitary requirements of this Code necessary to insure puolic
health, safety and general welfare.
:i7.2 TERMINATION OF APPROVAL: The building official is hereby au-
thorized to cermmata such special approval and to order the demoli-
-.icn of any such construction at his discretion, or as directed by
'-.he decision of the local board of appeals.
3-13
ARTICLE 4
SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 400.0 SCOPE
In addition to the general requirements of the Basic Code governing
the location, construction and equipment of all buildings and structures
and the f ireresistive, height and area limitations of tables 2-5 and 2-6
the provisions of this article shall control all buildings and structures
designed for high hazard uses and occupancies which involve extreme fire,
smoke, explosion or toxic gas risks, and places of assembly in which
people congregate in large numbers and which are susceptible to panic
incidental to crowds. Except as herein specifically provided, the
applicable standards listed in the reference standards of this article
shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this article.
Chemical plants, packing plants, grain elevators, refineries, flour
mills and other special structures may be constructed in accordance
vith the recognized practices and requirements of the specific industry.
The building official may permit such variations from the requirements
of the Basic Code which will secure reasonable and economical construc-
tion with the necessary fire, life and property safeguards. In grant-
ing such variations, due regard shall be given to the isolation of the
structure and fire hazard from and to surrounding property.
400.1 USES INVOLVING EXPLOSION HAZARDS: The provisions of this arti-
cle shall apply to all uses involving the storage, manufacture, han-
dling or filling of flammable and volatile solids, liquids or gases
which generate combustible and explosive air-vapor mixtures and toxic
gases including nitrocellulose film; pyroxylin plastics; grain and
other combustible dusts and pulverized fuels; combustible fibers;
pyroxylin lacquer-spraying operations; liquefied petroleum gases;
alcohol, ether and gasoline; flammable dusts and residues resulting
from fabrication, grinding and buffing operations, and all other ex-
plosion hazard risks.
400.2 SPECIAL HIGH HAZARDS: When the fire hazard potential exceeds
that which would be considered within the range of fire loading accept-
able for high hazard use, the requirements of table 2-5 may be increased
to provide additional f ireresistance in proportion to the excess fire
loading. Where high hazard uses exceed five (5) stories or sixty-five
(65) feet in height, requirements in excess of those required by table
2-5 may be specified in proportion to the anticipated additional fire
hazard.
400.3 MEANS OF EGRESS: The means of egress for buildings of hazardous
uses and occupancies shall conform to the requirements of article 6,
except as may be modified by more restrictive provisions of this arti-
cle for specific uses.
4-1
400.4 HEATING AND VENTING: The requirements herein prescribed for
the installation of heating and venting appliances and equipment for
high hazard uses and occupancies shall be construed as supplemental to
the provisions of article 5, 10, 11 and 18.
400.5 LIGHT AND ELECTRIC WIRING: Whenever flash fires and explosion
hazards are involved, all artificial lighting shall be restricted to
incandescent electric lights or other approved lighting with keyless
sockets and dust-tight, vapor-proof globes protected against mechanical
injury. All wiring in vaults or compartments for the storage of highly
flammable materials shall be in metal or other approved conduit com-
plying with the provisions of the Massachusetts State Electrical Code.
400.6 BOILER AND HAZARDOUS EQUIPMENT ROOMS: Boilers and other equip-
ment or devices, including breechings which involve flame or spark pro-
ducing apparatus shall not be exposed to fire or explosive-hazard gases,
vapors or volatile flammable liquids. Such rooms and equipment shall
be segregated by construction of not less than two (2) hour fireresis-
tance except as may be required for specific uses, without openings in
the enclosure walls and with means of direct ingress and egress from
the exterior, or such equipment shall be located in accessory struc-
tures segregated from the main building.
400.7 FIRE-FIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT: All buildings de-
signed for specific hazardous uses shall be protected with approved
automatic sprinkler systems or such other fire-extinguishing and aux-
iliary equipment as herein provided and in accordance with the re-
quirements of article 12.
400.8 SEGREGATION OF STORAGE SPACES: All rooms and spaces used for
the storage of volatile and flammable materials shall be separately
enclosed and segregated with f ireresistive construction as herein
required for specific uses and occupancies.
400.9 RESTRICTED LOCATIONS: No high hazard use may be located with-
in two hundred (200) feet of the nearest wall of a building classi-
fied in a public assembly or institutional use group.
SECTION 401.0 DEFINITIONS
AIRPLANE HANGAR, PRIVATE: a hangar for the storage of four (4) or less
single motor planes and in which no volatile or flammable oil is
handled, stored or kept other than that contained in the fuel storage
tank of the plane.
-PUBLIC: a building for the storage, care or repair of private or
commercial airplanes not included in the term "private airplane
hangar."
4-2
EXITWAY DISCHARGE COURT: an exterior unoccupied space which is open
to the sky for its entire area, located on the same lot with a
theatre or other assembly building which it serves exclusively as
an unobstructed passageway to the street or other public space.
FLAMMABLE: Subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion.
FOYER: the enclosed space surrounding or in the rear of the audi-
toritnn of a theatre or other place of assembly which is completely
shut off from the auditorium and is used as an assembly or waiting
space for the occupants.
FUEL OIL: a liquid mixture or compound derived from petroleum which
does not emit flammable vapor below a temperature of one hundred
and twenty-five (125) degrees F. in a Tag closed-cup tester.
GARAGE, PRIVATE: a garage for four (4) or less passenger motor
vehicles with no provision for repairing or servicing such vehicles
for profit.
GARAGE, PUBLIC: a building or structure for the storage or parking
of more than four (4) passenger motor vehicles, or more than one
(1) commercial motor vehicle, and in which provision may be made
for the dispensing of gasoline, oil or similar products for the
servicing of such vehicles. Public garages shall be classified
according to their specific use in one (1) of the following groups:
-GROUP 1: a public garage in which provision is made for the care,
storage, repair or painting of motor vehicles.
-GROUP 2: a public garage used exclusively for passenger vehicles
that will accommodate not more nine (9) passengers.
GRANDSTAND: any structure, except movable seating and sectional
benches, intended primarily to support individuals for the pur-
poses of assembly, but shall not apply to the permanent seating
in theatres, churches, auditoriums and similar buildings.
KEROSENE: an oil or liquid product of petroleum which does not emit
a flammable vapor below a temperature of one hundred and fifteen
(115) degrees F. when tested in a Tag closed-cup tester.
LOBBY: the enclosed vestibule between the principal entrance to the
building and the doors to the main floor of the auditorium or as-
sembly room of a theatre or place of assembly or to the main floor
corridor of a business building.
MOBILE HOME: a dwelling unit built on a chassis and containing com-
plete electrical, plumbing and sanitary facilities, and designed to
be installed on a temporary or permanent foundation for permanent
living quarters.
4-3
MOTOR FUEL SERVICE STATION: a structure, building or premise or any
portion thereof where a flanunable fluid is stored, housed or sold
for supply to motor vehicles.
MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP: a building, structure or enclosure in
which the general business of repairing motor vehicles is con-
ducted including a public garage,
PARKING STRUCTURE, OPEN: a structure for the parking of passenger
cars wherein two (2) or more sides of such structure are not less
than fifty (50) percent open on each floor or level for fifty (50)
percent of the distance from the floor to the ceiling and wherein
no provision for the repairing of such vehicles is made. Such
open parking structures are not classified as public garages, but
shall comply with the requirements of section 905.2.
PYROXYLIN PLASTIC: any nitro-cellulose product or compound soluble
in a volatile, flammable liquid, including such substances as
celluloid, pyroxylin, fiberloid and other cellulose nitrates (other
than nitro-cellulose film) which are susceptible to explosion
from rapid ignition of the gases emitted therefrom.
STAGE: a partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which is
designed or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or
other entertainment wherein scenery, drops, or other effects may
be installed or used; and where the distance between the top of
the proscenium opening and the ceiling of the sta^e is more than
five (5) feet; and the stage extends seventeen (17) feet or more
in back of the proscenium arch or there is a gridiron.
TRAVEL TRAILER: a vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis
and designed to be used for temporary occupancy for travel , recre-
ational or vacation use; with the manufacturer's permanent identi-
fication "Travel Trailer," thereon; and when factory equipped
for the road, being of any length provided its gross weight does
not exceed forty-five hundred (4500) pounds, or being of any
weight provided its overall length does not exceed twenty-eight
(28) feet.
SECTION 402.0 EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Every structure, room or space occupied for uses involving explo-
sion hazards shall be equipped and vented with explosion relief
systems and devices arranged for automatic release under predeter-
mined increase in pressure as herein provided for specific uses or
in accordance with approved engineering standards and practice.
402.1 VENTING DEVICES: Venting devices to relieve the pressure re-
sulting from explosive air-vapor mixtures shall consist of windows,
sky-lights, vent flues or releasing roof or wall panels which dis-
charge directly to the open air or to a public place or other unoc-
4-4
cupied space not less than twenty (20) feet in width on the same
lot. Such releasing devices shall be so located that the dis-
charge end shall be not less than ten (10) feet vertically and
twenty (20) feet horizontally from window openings or means of
egress facilities in the same or adjoining buildings or structures.
The exhaust shall always be in the direction of least exposure and
never into the interior of the building.
402.2 AREA OF VENTS: The aggregate clear vent relief area shall
be regulated by the type of construction of the building and shall
be not less than herein prescribed:
Heavy reinforced concrete
frame 1 sq. ft. for 80 cubic feet of volume
Light structural steel
frame and ordinary
construction 1 sq. ft. for 65 cubic feet of volume
Light wood frame
construction 1 sq. ft. for 50 cubic feet of volume
In no case shall the combined area of open windows, pivoted sash
or wall panels arranged to open under internal pressure be less
than ten (10) percent of the area of the enclosure walls, with not
less than fifty (50) percent of the opening arranged for automatic
release.
402.3 CONSTRUCTION OF VENTS: All explosion relief devices shall be
of an approved type constructed of light weight, noncombustible and
corrosion-resistive materials, and .the discharge end shall be pro-
tected with approved screens of not more than three-quarter (3/4)
inch mesh, arranged to blow out under relatively low pressures.
SECTION 403.0 VOLATILE FLAMMABLES
403.1 CONTROL OF USE.
403.11 INSIDE STORAGE: Refer to FPR-4, FPR-8, and FPR-13 for re-
quirements.
403.12 HANDLING: Refer to FPR-4 for requirements.
403.13 CONSTRUCTION OF ENCLOSURES: Process rooms shall be separated
from other uses and occupancies by walls, floors and ceilings of not
less than two (2) hours f ireresistance with one and one-half (Ih)
hour fire doors or the approved labeled equivalent complying with
article 9. The interior door openings shall be provided with
non-combustible sills not less than six (6) inches high and the
room shall be vented as required in section 402. Floors shall be
waterproofed and drained to comply with section 871.
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A03.14 FIRE PROTECTION: First aid fire appliances and automatic
sprinklers or other extinguishing equipment shall be provided in
accordance with article 12 and the standards listed in the reference
standards of this article.
403.2 MAIN STORAGE: Main storage system of volatile flammable liq-
uids shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the ap-
plicable standards listed in this article subject to the approval
of the fire official. Any tank greater than ten thousand (10,000)
gallons capacity shall be subject to the provisions of the Depart-
ment of Public Safety Board of Boiler Rules. Such storage may be
either outside underground, outside aboveground, inside underground,
or outside storage house. No above ground bulk storage tank shall
be located less than three hundred (300) feet from any assembly
buildings (use group F) or institutional (use group H) uses.
403.21 OUTSIDE UNDERGROUND SYSTEM: Outside tanks shall be buried
underground below the basement level of adjacent buildings, with
the top of the tanks not less than two (2) feet below grade or with
a reinforced concrete or other approved structural cover not less
than four (4) inches thick and a twelve (12) inch earth cover. The
max 1 mum capacity of such tanks shall be limited by their location
in respect to adjacent buildings which are not an essential part
of the installation and adjacent lot lines as provided in table
4-1.
Table 4-1 - Capacity of Outside Underground Tanks
for Volatile Flammable Liquids
Fire separation in feet Quantity of storage in gallons
50 Unlimited
40 50, 000
30 20,000
25 12,000
20 6,000
10 3,000
When within ten (10) feet of any building not an essential part of
the installation, and the top of the tank is above the lowest floor
of the building, the capacity of the tank shall be not more than five
hundred and fifty (550) gallons.
The capacity of storage of combustible liquids other than volatile
flammable as herein defined shall be restricted to five (5) times
the values specified In table 4-1.
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403.22 OUTSIDE ABOVEGROUND SYSTEM: Above ground tanks shall be
located only outside the fire limits; and the capacity, location,
construction and exposures shall be subject to special approvals
of the building official and the fire official; but in no case shall
the fire separation be less than specified in table A-2. Tanks
in excess of ten thousand (10,000) gallon capacity shall be subject
to the Department of Public Safety Board of Boiler Rules.
403.23 INSIDE UNDERGROUND SYSTEM: Inside underground tanks shall
be located not less than two (2) feet below the level of the low-
est floor of the building in which located or any other building
within a radius of ten (10) feet of the tank. In no case shall
such tanks be located under the sidewalk or beyond the building
line. It shall be unlawful to cover any tanks from sight until
after inspection and test and written approval of the building
official.
Table 4-2 - Capacity of Outside Aboveground Tanks
for Volatile Flammable Liquids
Fire seperation in feet Quantity of Storage in gallons
50 50,000
40 30, 000
30 24,000
20 12, 000
The maximum limit of individual tank capacity shall be not more than five
hundred and fifty (550) gallons and the entire system shall be subject to
special approval of the building and fire officials.
403.24 OUTSIDE STORAGE HOUSE: All outside storage houses shall be
constructed of noncombustible (type 2) construction or better. No
opening shall be permitted in the enclosure walls within eleven
(11) feet of adjoining property lines or with a fire exposure of
less than eleven (11) feet from any building or structure not part
of the installation.
403.25 SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: The building official may require
greater fire separations or he may limit storage capacities under
severe exposure hazard conditions when necessary for public safety.
SECTION 404.0 EXISTING BUILDINGS
404.1 SPECIAL PERMIT FOR EXISTING USES: Any existing hazardous
use which was heretofore authorized by a permit issued under the
provisions of law or the regulations of the fire official may be
continued by special permit provided the continuance of such use
or occupancy does not endanger the public safety.
4-7
404.2 EXISTING USE PROHIBITED: No existing building of frame
(type 4) construction which is more than two (2) stories in height
or more than five thousand (5000) square feet in area shall be con-
tinued in use or hereafter occupied for any use which represents
an exceptional hazard with respect to fire or explosion.
404.3 PLACES OF ASSEMBLY.
404.31 CHANGE OF USE: No existing building or structure or part
thereof shall be altered or converted into a place of assembly
unless it complies with all provisions of this Code applicable to
places of public assembly hereafter erected.
404.32 EXISTING USE ALTERED: When an existing building or struc-
ture heretofore used as a place of public assembly is altered and
the cost of such alteration is more than fifty (50) percent of the
physical value of the building as defined in section 106.5, all
provisions of this Code relating to new places of public assembly
shall be complied with. When the cost of such alteration is less
than fifty (50) percent of the physical value of the building,
such alterations shall comply as nearly as is practicable with
the provisions of this Code which govern the arrangement and con-
struction of seats, aisles, passageways, stage and appurtenant
rooms, fire-fighting and extinguishing equipment and the adequacy
of means of egress.
404.33 INCREASE OF OCCUPANCY LOAD: Whenever the occupancy load
of an existing place of public assembly is increased beyond the
approved capacity of its exitways, the building or parts thereof
shall be made to comply in all respects with the requirements for
a new building hereafter erected for such public assembly use.
SECTION 404.4 SWIMMING POOLS
404.41 CHANGE OF USE: No existing pool used for swimming or
bathing or accessory equipment of part thereof shall be altered
or converted for any other use unless it complies with all pro-
visions of this Code applicable to the use intended.
404.42 CONTINUATION OF EXISTING USE: Existing swimming pools
may be continued without change, provided the safety requirements
are observed where required by the building official.
SECTION 405.0 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
The provisions of this section shall apply to the design, con-
struction, location, installation and operation of propane, butane
and other petroleum gases, normally stored in the liquid state
4-8
under pressure for use in all buildings and structures. Refineries,
tank farms and utility gas plants shall be subject to special ap-
provals in accordance with accepted engineering practice as defined
in the reference standards of this article.
405.1 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REGULATIONS: The design,
construction, location, installation and operation of facilities
for propane, butane and other petroleum gases, normally stored
in the liquid state under pressure for use in all buildings and
structures shall be in conformance with the Massachusetts State
Fire Prevention Regulations, FPR-5; the Department of Public
Safety Board of Boiler Rules; and other standards listed in the
reference standards of this article.
SECTION 406.0 PYROXYLIN PLASTICS
The provisions of this section, including the reference standards
of this article shall regulate all buildings, structures and parts
thereof used for the storage, handling or fabrication of pyroxylin
plastics permitted by Massachusetts law whether as raw material,
process, finished product or scrap.
406.1 EXCEPTIONS: The provisions of this section shall not apply
to the manufacture, use or storage of nitro-cellulose film or the
incidental storage of articles manufactured from pyroxylin plastics
offered for sale in mercantile buildings. (See section 205.)
406.2 RESTRICTIONS: No permit for the storage or manufacture of
pyroxylin plastics, except as specified in section 406.1, shall
be issued for a building or structure hereafter erected, altered
or used which is occupied or located as follows:
406.21 PLACE OF ASSEMBLY: Within fifty (50) feet of the nearest
wall of a school, theatre or other place of public assembly;
406.22 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING: As a residential building, use groups
L-1, L-2 or L-3;
406.23 HIGH HAZARD USES: In quantities exceeding one thousand
(1000) pounds in buildings where paints, varnishes or lacquers
are manufactured, stored or kept for sale; or where matches, resin,
oils, hemp, cotton or any explosives are stored or kept for sale;
406.24 OTHER FLAMMABLE MATERIALS: Where drygoods, garments or
other materials of a highly flammable nature are manufactured in
any portion of the building above that used for nitro-cellulose
products;
4-9
406.25 TENANT FACTORY BUILDING: In quantities exceeding one hun-
dred (100) pounds in any tenant factory building (use Group D) in
which more than five (5) people are employed or likely to congre-
gate on one floor at any one time.
406.3 INSIDE STORAGE: All pyroxylin raw material and products
intended for use in further manufacture shall be stored as herein
provided:
406.31 CABINETS: Quantities of more than twenty-five (25) pounds
and not more than five hundred (500) pounds shall be stored In
approved cabinets constructed of noncombustible materials but in
no case shall the total quantity of storage be more than one
thousand (1000) pounds in any workroom or space enclosed in floors,
walls and ceilings of not less than two (2) hours fireresistance;
406.32 VAULTS: Quantities of more than one thousand (1000) poionds
and not more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds shall be stored in
vaults enclosed in floors, walls and ceilings of not less than
four (4) hours fireresistance. The interior storage volume of the
vault shall be not more than fifteen hundred (1500) cubic feet
and the vault shall be constructed vapor and gastight in accordance
with the approved rules, with one and one-half (Ih) hour vapor-tight
fire doors or the approved labeled fire door assembly equivalent
on each side of the door opening. The vault shall be drained and
provided with scuppers.
406.33 TOTE BOXES AND SCRAP CONTAINERS: During manufacture,
pyroxylin materials and products not stored in finished stock
rooms, cabinets or vaults shall be kept in approved covered non-
combustible tote boxes. Scrap and other refuse material shall be
collected in approved noncombustible containers in quantities not
greater than three hundred and fifty (350) pounds and removed at
frequent intervals as directed by the building official with the
approval of the fire official;
406.34 VENTILATION: Each separate compartment in storage vaults
shall be vented directly to the outer air through flues complying
with the requirements of article 10 for low temperature chimneys,
or exterior metal smokestacks, or as otherwise provided in the
approved rules. The vent shall discharge not less than four (4)
feet above the roof of the building or on a street, court or other
open space not less than fifty (50) feet distant from any other
opening in adjoining walls which are not in the same plane, nor
nearer than twenty-five (25) feet vertically or horizontally to
an exterior stairway, fire escape or exitway discharge. The area
of the vent shall be not less than one (1) square inch for each
seven (7) pounds of pyroxylin stored;
4-10
406.35 STRUCTURAL STRENGTH: The floors, walls, roof and doors of
all vaults, structures or buildings used for the storage or manu-
facture of pyroxylin materials and products shall be designed to
resist an inside pressure load of not less than three hundred (300)
pounds per square foot;
406.36 FIRE PROTECTION: Vaults located within buildings for the
storage of raw pyroxylin shall be protected with an approved auto-
matic sprinkler system capable of discharging one and sixty-six
one-hundredths (1.66) gallons per minute per square feet over the
area of the vault.
406.4 ISOLATED STORAGE BUILDINGS: Pyroxylin products in quanti-
ties greater than permitted for interior storage shall be housed
in isolated storage buildings. Such buidings shall be used for no
purpose other than packing, receiving, shipping and storage of
pyroxylin plastics unless otherwise approved by the building official.
406.41 CAPACITY: The maximum storage in any fire area enclosed
in construction of four (4) hours fireresistance shall be not greater
than one hundred thousand (100,000) pounds. The storage capacity
of the building and its separation from lot lines and other build-
ings on the same lot shall be limited as provided in table 4-3.
When equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system comply-
ing with the provisions of article 12 and as herein modified, the
exposure distances may be decreased fifty (50) percent. Such sys-
tems shall be provided with not less than one (1) automatic sprink-
ler head for each thirty-two (32) square feet of protected area.
Table 4-3 - Exposure Distance for Pyroxylin Storage Buildings
Fire separation from lot line
Maximum quantity stored in pounds or other buildings in feet
1,000 40
2,000 50
3,000 60
4,000 70
5,000 80
10,000 100
20,000 125
30,000 150
40,000 160
50, 000 180
75,000 200
100,000 225
150,000 250
300,000 300
4-11
406.5 FIRE PROTECTION,
406.51 HEATING EQUIPMENT: All radiators, heating coils, piping
and heating apparatus shall be protected with approved noncombust-
ible mesh to maintain a clearance of six (6) inches of all pyroxylin
products from such equipment. All piping and risers within six (6)
feet of the floor shall be insulated with approved noncombustible
covering unless protected with wire guards.
406.52 LIGHTING CONTROL: All lighting shall comply with the pro-
visions of section 400.5 and shall be controlled from panel boards
located outside of storage compartments and vaults.
406.53 STANDPIPES: First-aid standpipes shall be provided for
each five thousand (5000) square feet of floor area equipped with
one and one-half (l^s) inch hose, complying with article 12.
406.54 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS: All manufacturing and storage spaces
and vaults where required shall be protected with an approved auto-
matic sprinkler system as herein specified and with fire pails and
portable fire extinguishers complying with article 12.
406.55 SPECIAL PROTECTION: Special chemical extinguishers and
other first aid fire appliances shall be provided around motors
and other electrical equipment in accordance with the approved
rules.
SECTION 407.0 USE AND STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE FILM
407.1 PERMIT REQUIRED: No permit for handling, use, storage or re-
covery of flammable film shall be issued for any building located
as specified in section 406.2; except that those restrictions shall
not apply to the screening and projection rooms of theatres and
other places of amusement or instruction. It shall be unlawful to
store, stock or use any nitro-cellulose or other flammable film in
quantities of more than two thousand (2000) feet in length or more
than ten (10) pounds in weight unless approved by the fire official.
All installations shall comply with the applicable standards listed
in the reference standards of this article.
407.2 STORAGE: Other than motion picture projection and rewind
rooms, or as herein specifically exempted, all rooms in which flam-
mable film is stored or handled shall be enclosed in not less than
two (2) hour f ireresistive construction complying with the provisions
of article 9. All film, except when in process or use, shall be
kept in approved closed containers.
407.21 CABINETS: Flammable film in amounts of twenty-five (25)
to one thousand (1000) pounds shall be stored in approved noncom-
bustible cabinets constructed and vented in accordance with the
approved rules. No one cabinet shall contain more than three hvindred
and seventy-five (375) pounds. All cabinets with a capacity of more
than seventy-five (75) pounds shall be equipped with not less than one
(1) automatic sprinkler head.
4-12
407.22 VAULTS: Flannnable film in amounts greater than one thousand
(1000) pounds shall be kept in vaults constructed as provided in
section 406; except that the interior storage volume shall not
exceed seven hundred and fifty (750) cubic feet.
407.23 ROOMS: Unexposed film may be stored in the original approv-
ed shipping cases complying with the rules of the Interstate Com-
merce Commission in rooms equipped with an approved one-source
sprinkler system complying with the provisions of section 406.36.
407.24 VENTILATION: Storage rooms shall be ventilated as speci-
fied in section 406.34 with the vents arranged to open automati-
cally in the event of fire, in accordance with the approved rules.
407.25 LIGHTING: Artificial illumination shall comply with section
400.5 except that other approved forms of lights may be used in film
studios.
407.26 HEATING: All heating equipment and installations shall con-
form to the requirements of section 406.51. The duct systems of
warm air heating and air conditioning systems shall comply with
article 18, and shall be protected with automatic fire dampers to
cut off all rooms in which film is handled from all other rooms arid
spaces in the building. The heating of film vaults shall be auto-
matically controlled to a maximum temperature of seventy (70) de-
grees F.
407.27 FIRE PROTECTION: Approved automatic sprinkler systems
shall be provided in all buildings and structures and parts there-
of in which flammable film is stored or handled in amounts of more
than fifty (50) pounds and as herein specifically required, except
in projection booths and rewind rooms conforming to the requirements
of section 407.3 and 407.4.
407.3 PROJECTION ROOMS: Every room for the use and operation of
motion picture projectors hereafter installed as an integral part
of a building shall be enclosed in walls, floor and ceiling of
approved noncombustible materials and construction, as herein pro-
vided .
407.31 CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTION ROOMS: The size of the room
shall be adequate to accommodate the apparatus and equipment and
permit manual operation, but in no case less than forty-eight (48)
square feet in area and seven (7) feet in height for one projector
and twenty-four (24) square feet for each additional machine. The
enclosure shall be constructed smoke and vapor-tight of not less
than two (2) hour f ireresistance. Observation and projector
openings shall in no case exceed twelve (12) inches in any dimen-
sion and shall be equipped with automatic metal, or other approved
noncombustible shutters capable of auxiliary manual operation from
the outside.
4-13
407.32 MEANS OF EGRESS FROM PROJECTION ROOMS: At least two (2)
means of egress shall be provided, equipped with three-quarter (3/4)
hour self-closing fire doors, or their approved labeled equivalent,
opening outwardly, not less than two and one-half (2J5) feet by six
(6) feet in size, unless otherwise approved by the building official.
407.33 VENTILATION OF PROJECTION ROOMS: Ventilation shall be pro-
vided by an approved mechanical system of ventilation, exhausting
either directly to the outdoors or through a noncombustible flue,
which shall be used for no other purpose. The exhaust capacity
shall be not less than fifteen (15) cubic feet nor more than fifty
(50) cubic feet per minute for each arc lamp, plus two hundred (200)
cubic feet per minute for the volvime of the room. The ventilation
system may be extended to serve rewind rooms associated therewith,
but shall not be connected in any way with ventilating or air con-
ditioning systems serving other portions of the building. All ven-
tilating flues shall be constructed and installed to comply with
article 18. All fresh air intakes other than direct open air supply
shall be protected with fire shutters arranged to operate automati-
cally with the port shutters.
407.34 LIGHTING CONTROL: Provision shall be made for control of
the auditorium lighting and the emergency lighting systems of
theatres from inside of the booth and from at least one other con-
venient point in the building as required in section 416.8.
407.35 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT: Separate compartments of similar con-
struction to the projection booth shall be provided for storage bat-
teries and motor generators, respectively. Ventilation shall be pro-
vided for such compartments; ventilation for the motor compartment
being Independent of any other system. The duct from such compart-
ments leading to outdoors shall be constructed of approved acid-
resisting noncombustible material.
407.36 FILM CAPACITY: The film storage capacity of each projection
or rewind room shall be not more than one hundred and twenty-five
(125) pounds.
407.4 REWIND AND AUXILIARY ROOMS: Rewinding of film shall be done
in the booth in accordance with the approved standards or in a spe-
cial rewind room not less than eighty (80) square feet in area con-
structed as provided in this section for the projection room. Spe-
cial auxiliary rooms may be provided for film storage of not more
than one hundred and twenty-five (125) pounds capacity; but the
total storage capacity of projection, rewind and auxiliary rooms
shall be not more than two hundred and fifty (250) pounds.
407.41 TOILET: A toilet room with approved toilet facilities shall be
connected directly with the projection booth.
4-14
407.5 TRIAL EXHIBITION ROOMS: Preview rooms shall provide a seat-
ing capacity of not more than one hundred (100) persons, with not
less than two (2) approved means of egress complying with article
6. Such rooms shall be enclosed In three-quarter (3/4) hour flre-
reslstive partitions with self-closing fire doors or their approved
labeled equivalent at the openings. All seats shall be permanently
fixed in position and the arrangement shall comply with the require-
ments of section 416.3.
407.6 TEMPORARY MOTION PICTURE INSTALLATIONS: Temporary motion pic-
ture installations shall require a building permit from the building
official and shall be of approved construction.
407.7 MOTION PICTURE STUDIOS.
407.71 CONSTRUCTION: All buildings designed or used as motion pic-
ture studios shall be protected with an approved two-source automatic
sprinkler system complying with the provisions of article 12; except
that the building official may exempt rooms designed for housing
electrical equipment from this requirement when constructed of fire-
proof (type 1) construction.
407.72 SPECIAL ROOMS: Rooms and spaces used as carpenter and repair
shops, dressing rooms, costume and property stage rooms shall be en-
closed in floors, walls and ceilings of not less than two (2) hour
fireresistive construction.
407.73 TRIM, FINISH AND DECORATIVE HANGINGS: All permanently at-
tached acoustic, insulating and light reflecting materials and tem-
porary hangings on walls and ceilings shall comply with the require-
ments of article 9.
407.74 FILM STORAGE: All film shall be stored as required in sec-
tion 407.2 and no surplus film shall be kept on the studio stage ex-
cept loaded magazines in the cameras and sound recording apparatus.
All extra loaded magazines shall be stored in a separate magazine
room enclosed in two (2) hour fireresistive construction.
407.8 FILM LABORATORIES: No film laboratories shall be conducted in
other than fireproof (type-A) buildings or structures, equipped through-
out with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
407.9 FILM EXCHANGES: All film exchanges and depots shall be housed
in buildings and structures of fireproof (type 1-A) construction
equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system. All
flammable film other than that in process of receipt, delivery or
distribution shall be stored in vaults complying with the requirements
of section 406.32.
4-15
SECTION 408.0 USE AND STORAGE OF COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
The provisions of this section shall apply to all buildings and
structures involving the storage or use of finely divided combustible
vegetable or animal fibers and thin sheets or flakes of such materials
involving a flash fire hazard, including among others cotton, excel-
sior, hemp, sisal, jute, kapok and paper and cloth in the form of
scrap and clippings in excess of one thousand (1000) pounds. All such
uses shall be subject to the Massachusetts State Fire Prevention Regu-
lations, FPR-13, and the following provisions:
408.1 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS: All buildings designed for the
storage of combustible fibers as herein described shall be constructed
within the limits of height and area specified in table 2-6 for high
hazard use (use group A) except as follows :
408.11 SPECIAL LIMITS: No single storage room or space shall be
more than twelve hundred and fifty (1250) square feet in area or more
than twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) cubic feet in volume un-
less of protected noncombustible (type 2-B) or better construction;
408.12 FLOOR LOADS: The floors of all buildings designed for the
storage of combustible fibers shall not be loaded in excess of one-
half (h) the safe load capacity of the floor, nor shall such materials
be piled to more than two-thirds (2/3) of the clear story height;
408.13 SALVAGE DOORS: Every exterior wall shall be provided with a
door to each storage compartment arranged for quick removal of the
contents;
408.14 WALL OPENINGS: All openings in outside walls shall be equipped
with approved fire doors and fire windows complying with article 9;
408.15 ROOF OPENINGS: All skylights, monitors and other roof open-
ings shall be protected with galvanized wire or other approved cor-
rosion-resistive screens with not less than thirty-six (36) meshes to
the square inch or with wired glass in stationary frames;
408.16 BOILER ROOMS: All power and heating boilers and furnaces
shall be located in detached boiler houses or in a segregated boiler
room enclosed in three (3) hour f ireresistive construction with direct
entrance from the outside, except that rooms containing gas-fired
heating equipment may have openings into the warehouse protected with
one and one-half (1%) hour fire doors or their approved labeled equiva-
lent.
408.2 FIRE PROTECTION: Fire-extinguishing equipment shall be provided
complying with article 12 consisting of casks, pails and portable chemi-
cal extinguishers and standpipes. Where deemed necessary by the fire
official, a system of outside hydrants and hose shall be provided.
4-16
408.3 OPEN STORAGE: Only temporary open storage of combustible
fibers shall be permitted on the same premises with a fiber ware-
house and shall be kept covered on top and sides with tarpaulins
secured in place. Not more than seven thousand two hundred (7200)
cubic feet of fiber shall be stored in the open; and fire-extinguish-
ing equipment shall be provided as directed by the fire official.
408.4 SPECIAL TREATMENTS: When combustible fibers are packed in
special noncombustible containers or when packed in bales covered
with wrappings to prevent ready ignition, or when treated by approved
chemical dipping or spraying processes to eliminate the flash fire
hazard, the restictions governing combustible fibers shall not apply.
SECTION 409.0 COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS, GRAIN PROCESSING AND STORAGE
The provisions of this section shall apply to all buildings in which
materials producing flammable dusts and particles which are readily
ignitable and subject to explosion hazards are stored or handled, in-
cluding among others, grain bleachers and elevators, malt houses,
flour, feed or starch mills, wood flour manufacturing and manufacture
and storage of pulverized fuel and similar uses. The applicable
standards listed in the reference standards of this article, except
as herein specifically required, shall be deemed to conform to the
requirements of the Basic Code,
409.1 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
409.11 BUILDINGS: All such buildings and structures, unless herein
otherwise specifically provided, shall be of fireproof (t3rpe 1), non-
combustible (type 2) , or of laminated planks or lumber sizes quali-
fied for heavy timber mill (type 3-A) construction, within the height
and area limits of high hazard uses (use group A) of table 2-6, ex-
cept that when erected of fireproof (type 1-A) construction, the height
and area of grain elevators and similar structures shall be unlimited,
and when of heavy timber (type 3-A) construction, the structure may be
erected to a height of sixty-five (65) feet; and except further that
in isolated areas, the height of type 3-A structures may be increased
to eighty-five (85) feet.
409.12 GRINDING ROOMS: Every room or space for grinding or other
operations producing flammable dust shall be enclosed with floors and
walls of not less than two (2) hour fireresistance when the area is
not more than three thousand (3000) square feet and of not less than
four (4) hour fireresistance when the area is greater than three thou-
sand (3000) square feet.
409.13 CONVEYORS: All conveyors, chutes, piping and similar equip-
ment passing through the enclosures of such rooms or spaces shall be
constructed dirt and vapor tight, of approved noncombustible materials
complying with Massachusetts State Electrical Code.
4-17
409.2 EXPLOSION RELIEF: Means for explosion relief shall be pro-
vided as specified in section 402, or such spaces shall be equipped
with the equivalent mechanical ventilation complying with article 18.
409.3 GRAIN ELEVATORS: Grain elevators, malt houses and buildings
for similar uses shall not be located within thirty (30) feet of in-
terior lot lines or structures on the same lot, except when erected
along a railroad right of way.
409.4 COAL POCKETS: Coal pockets located less than thirty (30) feet
from interior lot lines or structures on the same lot shall be con-
structed of not less than protected noncombustible (type 2-A) construc-
tion. When more than thirty (30) feet from interior lot lines, or
erected along a railroad right of way, such structures may be built
of lumber sizes qualifying for heavy timer or laminated construction,
provided they are not more than sixty-five (65) feet in height.
SECTION 410.0 PAINT AND SPRAY BOOTHS
The provisions of this section shall apply to the construction, in-
stallation and use of buildings and structures or parts thereof for
the spraying of flammable paints, varnishes and lacquers or other
flammable materials, mixtures or compounds used for painting, varnish-
ing, staining of similar purposes. All such construction and equip-
ment shall comply with the approved rules and the applicable standards
listed in the reference standards of this article.
410.1 LOCATION OF SPRAYING PROCESSES: Such processes shall be con-
ducted in a spraying space, spray booth, spray room or shall be iso-
lated in a detached building or as otherwise approved by the build-
ing official in accordance with accepted engineering practice.
410.2 CONSTRUCTION.
410.21 SPRAY SPACES: All spray spaces shall be ventilated with an
approved exhaust system to prevent the accumulation of flammable mist
or vapors. When such spaces are not separately enclosed, noncombus-
tible spray curtains shall be provided to restrict the spread of fire.
410.22 SPRAY BOOTHS: All spray booths shall be constructed of ap-
proved noncombustible materials equipped with mechanical ventilating
systems.
410.23 SPRAY ROOMS: All spray rooms shall be enclosed in partitions
of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance. Floors
shall be waterproofed and drained in an approved manner . Floor drains
to the building drainage system and the public sewer shall be prohibited,
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410.24 STORAGE ROOMS: Spraying materials in quantities of not more
than twenty (20) gallons may be stored in approved cabinets venti-
lated at top and bottom, when in quantities of more than twenty (20)
gallons and not more than one hundred (100) gallons, they may be
stored in approved double-wall noncombustible cabinets vented direct-
ly to the outer air; and all spraying materials in quantities of more
than one hundred (100) gallons shall be stored in an enclosure of not
less than two (2) hour fireresistance or in a separate exterior stor-
age building. In no case shall such storage be in quantities of more
than two hundred and fifty (250) gallons, except when stored in isolated
storage buildings; and except further that not more than twenty-five (25)
gallons of spraying material shall be stored in buildings in which
exceptionally highly combustible materials are manufactured or stored.
410.3 VENTILATION OF SPRAYING PROCESSES: The ventilation system
shall comply with the provisions of section 402 and shall be adequate
to exhaust all vapors, fumes and residue of spraying material directly
to the outer air. Fresh air shall be admitted to the spraying spaces
in an amount equal to the capacity of the fan in such manner as to
avoid short-circuiting the path of air in the working space and to
provide air movement with a velocity of not less than one hundred (100)
feet per minute at the face of the spray booth. All ducts and vents
shall be constructed and installed to comply with sections 1017 and
1117 and article 18. Unless equipped with approved explosion-proof
motors with nonferrous blade fans, the mechanical exhaust equipment
shall be located outside of spray spaces. Make-up air shall be
supplied from a point outside the spraying or dipping space such that
it will be uncontaminated by the process exhaust fumes.
410.31 VENTILATING: Ventilating ducts shall run directly to the
outer air and be protected with a hood against the weather. Such
ducts shall not terminate within ten (10) feet horizontally of any
chimney outlet, or within twenty (20) feet of any exit or any open-
ing in an adjoining wall.
410.32 The exhaust system for any spraying, dipping or drying space
shall not be connected to any other ventilating system or be dis-
charged into a chimney or flue used for the purpose of conveying
gases of combustion.
410.4 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT: Artificial lighting and electric equip-
ment shall comply with section 400.5.
410.5 FIRE PROTECTION: Sprinkler heads shall be provided in all
spray, dip and immersing spaces and storage rooms and shall be in-
stalled in accordance with accepted engineering practice and the
standards listed in the reference section of article 12. Where
buildings containing spray areas are not equipped with an approved
automatic sprinkler system, the sprinkler heads in booths and other
spray areas and storage rooms may be supplied from the building water
supply when approved by the building official, to comply with the
provisions of section 1213 for partial sprinkler systems.
4-19
SECTION 411.0 DRY CLEANING ESTABLISHMENTS
Before any dry cleaning plant is constructed or an existing plant
is remodeled or altered, complete drawings shall be filed showing to
scale the relative location of the dry cleaning area, the boiler room,
finishing department, solvent storage tanks, pumps, washers, drying
tumblers, extractors, filter traps, stills, piping and all other
equipment involving the use of flammable liquid solvents. All dry
cleaning by immersion and agitation shall be carried on in closed
machines, installed and operated in accordance with the approved
rules and the applicable standards listed in the reference standards
of this article.
411.1 CLASSIFICATION: For the purpose of the Basic Code, all dry
cleaning and dry dyeing establishments shall be classified as fol-
lows:
411.11 HIGH HAZARD: All such establishments shall be classified as
high hazard which employ gasoline or other solvents having a flash
point below seventy-five (75) degrees F. (Tag. closed-cup) in quanti-
ties of more than three (3) gallons, or more than sixty (60) gallons
of flammable solvents with a flash point between seventy-five (75)
and one hundred and forty (140) degrees F. (Tag. closed-cup).
411.12 MODERATE HAZARD: All such establishments employing less than
three (3) gallons of volatile flammables with a flash point of less
than seventy-five (75) degrees F. or less than sixty (60) gallons of
solvent with a flash point between seventy-five (75) and one hundred
and forty (140) degrees F. (Tag. closed-cup) shall be classified as moder-
ate hazard.
411.13 LOW HAZARD: All such establishments using solvents of other
than volatile flammable liquids or solvents with a flash point more
than one hundred and forty (140) degrees F. (Tag. closed-cup) in cleaning
and dyeing operations shall be classified as low hazard.
411.2 CONSTRUCTION OF DRY CLEANING PLANTS
411.21 HIGH HAZARD: The construction of new high hazard dry clean-
ing plants, and the installation of high hazard dry cleaning estab-
lishments in new locations shall be prohibited.
411.22 MODERATE HAZARD: Moderate hazard dry cleaning plants as here-
in defined may be located in buildings or structures of any type of
construction other than frame (type 4) buildings subject to the fire
district limitations of article 3 and the height and area limitations
for high hazard buildings (use group A) of table 2-6. The room or
space in which such operations are conducted shall be enclosed in not
less than two (2) hour f ireresistive construction with not less than
two (2) means of egress from each dry cleaning or dry dyeing room or
space.
4-20
411.23 LOW HAZARD: Low hazard dry cleaning plants shall not be
restricted as to t3T)e of building construction within the height
and area limitations for use group E of table 2-6; except that such
uses shall not be located in basements nor in a building used for
public assembly (use group F) or institutional (use group H) pur-
poses.
411.24 ROOF CONSTRUCTION OF DRY CLEANING PLANTS: The roof over
high hazard dry cleaning plants shall be flat without attic or con-
cealed spaces and shall be provided with a pivot type skylight or
other approved vent complying with section 402, arranged to release
outwardly under explosion pressures.
411.25 FLOOR CONSTRUCTION OF DRY CLEANING PLANTS: The floor finish
in high hazard dry cleaning plants shall be constructed of impervious
noncombustible materials with nonsparking surfaces. There shall be
no openings, vaults or pits below the floor.
411.26 EXTERIOR WALLS OF DRY CLEANING PLANTS: Exterior walls of
high hazard dry cleaning plants having a fire separation of less than
thirty (30) feet shall be solid masonry without openings, but in no
case shall more than two (2) sides of the building be enclosed in
blank walls. Opening protectives of exterior doors and windows shall
have not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour fireresistance or the la-
beled equivalent construction, and the windows shall be pressure-re-
leasing to comply with section 402.
411.27 BASEMENTS OF DRY CLEANING PLANTS: The basements of all build-
ings in which high or moderate hazard dry cleaning establishments are
conducted shall be completely separated from the superstructure with
unpierced floor construction of not less than two (2) hours firere-
sistance. The access to such basements shall be from the exterior
only.
411.3 BOILER ROOM SEPARATION: Boiler rooms and heating equipment
for moderate hazard dry cleaning plants shall be separated from dry-
ing room, dry cleaning and dry dyeing rooms with unpierced walls of
not less than two (2) hours fireresistance; or such boiler rooms
shall be located in a separate building.
411.4 VENTILATION: Mechanical ventilation systems in moderate
hazard plants shall be adequate to effect ten (10) complete air
changes per hour, low hazard dry cleaning establishments shall be
provided with mechanical ventilation adequate to effect four (4)
complete air changes per hour. Exhaust of all process fvnnes shall
be directly to the outside air.
411.5 SOLVENT STORAGE: All volatile flammable solvents with a flash
point under seventy-five (75) degrees F. (Tag. closed-cup) shall be
stored underground in accordance with the provisions of section 403.
Interior aboveground storage shall be permitted for solvents with a
flash point above seventy-five (75) F. (Tag. closed-cup) provided the ag-
4-21
gregate quantity of such solvent in use in the system and in storage
is not more than five hundred and fifty (550) gallons and the capac-
ity of any individual tank is not more than two hundred and seventy-
five (275) gallons.
411.6 ELECTRIC WIRING AND EQUIPMENT: All electrical equipment and
wiring shall conform to the requirements of the Massachusetts State
Electrical Code for hazardous locations; and the cylinders and shells
of all washing machines, drying tumblers, drying cabinets, extractors,
and all aboveground storage containers shall be grounded as therein
required.
411.7 FIRE PROTECTION: Every dry cleaning room and dry dyeing room
employing high and moderate hazard solvents shall be protected with
a fire-extinguishing system consisting of approved automatic sprink-
lers, manually controlled steam-blankets, carbon dioxide flooding
systems or other approved fire-extinguishing equipment.
SECTION 412.0 PRIVATE GARAGES
412.1 ATTACHED GARAGES.
412.11 ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS: Private garages, wherever
attached or adjoining a one or two-family dwelling, shall have a
fireresistance rating of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hours.
The sills of any door communicating with the dwelling shall be
raised at least four (4) inches above the garage floor. The doors
shall be three-quarter (3/4) hour fire doors complying with article
9 or one and three-quarter (1-3/4) inch solid core wood door.
412.12 MOTELS AND MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS: Private garages located
above or beneath motels and multi-family dwellings and in which no
gasoline or oil is stored or handled shall be of protected construc-
tion of not less than two (2) hour fireresistance.
412.13 OTHER CONDITIONS: All private garages not falling within the
purview of sections 412.11 and 412.12 attached to or located beneath
a building shall comply with the requirements of section 413.13 for
public garages.
412.2 MEANS OF EGRESS: Where living quarters are located above a,
private garage, required means of egress facilities shall be pro-
tected from the garage area with three-quarter (3/4) hour fireresis-
tive construction.
SECTION 413.0 PUBLIC GARAGES
Public garages shall comply with the applicable requirements of the
following sections. The portions of such buildings and structures in
which gasoline, oil and similar products are dispensed shall comply
4-22
with the requirements of section 414; the portions in which motor
vehicles are repaired shall comply with section 415; and the por-
tions in which paint spraying is done shall comply with the require-
ments of section 410. All garages shall be subject to the provi-
sions of FPR-4.
413.1 CONSTRUCTION: All group one (1) public garages hereafter
erected shall be classified as storage buildings, moderate hazard ^
(use group B-1) and all group two (2) public garages shall be classi-
fied as storage buildings, low hazard (use group B-2) and shall
be located on the grade floor and shall comply with the requirements
of section 414 .
413.11 SPECIAL HEIGHT LIMITATIONS: Public garage buildings shall
comply with the height and area limitations of table 2-6 for the
classification of the use as specified in section 413. Such
heights may be increased one (1) additional story when the building
is equipped with an approved sprinkler system.
413.12 BASEMENTS: The first floor construction of public garages
of all classifications and public hangars with basements shall be
water and vapor proof . Where openings are provided in the floor
they shall be protected by a curb or ramp not less than six (6)
inches high above the floor to avoid the accumulation of explosive
liquids or vapors and prevent them from spilling to the lower
floor. There shall be not less than two (2) means of egress from
such areas, one of which shall be directly to the outside indepen-
dent of the exitways serving other areas of the building.
413.13 MIXED OCCUPANCY: No public garage shall be located with-
in or attached to a building occupied for any other use, unless
separated from such use by walls or floors complying with table
9-1 for fireresistance. Such fire division shall be continuous
and unpierced by openings; except that door openings equipped with
self-closing fire doors complying with article 9 shall be permitted.
In buildings of single occupancy not excluding the area limitations
of table 2-6 doors without fireresistance shall be permitted be-
tween the garage area and salesroom or offices that are operated
in connection with the garage.
413.14 ROOF STORAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRPLANES: The roof of
a public garage shall not be used for the parking or storage of
motor vehicles unless the building is of construction type lA, IB,
or 2A. When the roof of a building is used for parking or storage
of motor vehicles, it shall be provided with a parapet wall or
guard rail not less than three (3) feet six (6) inches in height
and a wheel guard not less than six (6) inches in height, located
so as to prevent any vehicle from striking the parapet wall or
guard rail. The use of roofs for airplane storage and landing
shall be subject to the approval of the Civil Aeronautics Authority.
4-23
413.15 FLOOR CONSTRUCTION AND DRAINAGE: Floors of public garages
and airplane hangars shall be graded to drain through oil separa-
tors or traps to avoid accumulation of explosive vapors in building
drains or sewers as provided in the Massachusetts State Plumbing
Code. The floor finish shall be of concrete or other approved non-
absorbent noncombustible material.
413.2 VENTILATION: All public garages and airplane hangars shall
be provided with mechanical or natural ventilation adequate to
prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide or exhaust fumes in
excess of one (1) part in ten thousand (10,000) (.01 percent) ex-
plosive limit. The building official may require a test by a
qualified testing laboratory to determine the adequacy. The cost
of such test shall be borne by the owner. The building official
may require certification of the adequacy of the system by a quali-
fied registered professional engineer.
413.21 BELOW GRADE: Public garages below grade shall be equipped
with mechanical ventilation adequate to provide the ventilation re-
quired under section 413.2. The ventilation system shall be oper-
ated at all times the garage areas are occupied by human beings.
413.22 REPAIR SHOPS OR ROOMS: Products of combustion from inter-
nal combustion engines shall be collected directly from the exhaust
and discharged directly to the outside air by means of a positive
Induced draft. The discharge from such system shall be located
so as not to create a hazard to adjoining properties, but not less
than eight (8) feet above the adjacent ground level on the exterior
of the building and shall discharge into a yard or court. When
necessary to discharge across a walkway or private thoroughfare,
the discharge opening shall be carried to a height of not less
than twenty-five (25) feet above the ground level or to a distance
four (4) Inches above the highest point of the wall of the building
or structure on which it is located.
413.23 PITS: No pits shall be installed in floors below the first;
and pits in first and upper stories shall be provided with mechani-
cal ventilation adequate to provide the ventilation required under
section 413.2. The ventilation system shall be operated at all
times the pits are occupied by human beings.
413.3 SPECIAL HAZARDS: Any process conducted in conjunction with
public garages involving volatile flammable solvents shall be seg-
regated or located in a detached building or structure, except as
provided in section 403 for the storage and handling of gasoline
and other volatile flammables. The quantity of flammable liquids
stored or handled in public garages other than in underground stor-
age and in the tanks of motor vehicles shall be not more than five
(5) gallons in approved safety cans.
4-24
413.4 HEATING AND PROTECTION OF EQUIPMENT: Radiation and heating
colls and pipes located within six (6) Inches of the floor shall
be protected with wire mesh or other approved noncombustlble shields
of adequate strength; and with asbestos or other Insulation on top
of the equipment when located In partitions or near combustible
racks or woodwork.
413.5 BOILER ROOMS OF PUBLIC GARAGES: All heat generating plants
other than approved direct fired heaters shall be located in sep-
arate buildings or shall be separately enclosed within the struc-
ture with solid, water and vapor tight masonry. All rooms housing
boilers, stoves or other heating apparatus shall be cut off from
all other parts of the building with four (4) hour f Irereslstlve
construction with entrance from outside only, and no openings
through the fire division other than those necessary for heating
pipes or ducts.
413.6 SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS: For sprinkler requirements refer to
article 12, table 12-3.
SECTION 414.0 MOTOR FUEL SERVICE STATIONS
414.1 CONSTRUCTION: Buildings and structures used for the storage
and sale of motor fuel oils may be of all types of construction with-
in the height and area limitations of table 2-6 for business (use
group E) buildings and as modified by sections 303 and 304.0. The
canopies and supports over pumps and service equipment when located
less than twenty (20) feet from interior lot lines shall be con-
structed of approved noncombustlble materials.
414.11 OPENING PROTECTIVES: All permissible openings in walls with
a fire separation of less than twenty (20) feet shall be protected
with approved fire windows or fire doors complying with article 9,
except doors in such walls to rest rooms.
414.12 BASEMENTS: Motor fuel service stations shall have no cellars
or basements; and when pits are provided they shall be vented as
required in section 413.2.
414.2 GASOLINE STORAGE: All volatile flammable liquid storage
tanks shall be installed below ground and vented as specified in
section 403. Such tanks shall be subject to the approval of the
fire official and comply with the provisions of FPR-4.
SECTION 415.0 MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS
All buildings and structures designed and used for repair and servlce-
ing motor vehicles, motor boats, airplanes or other motor driven means
of transportation shall be subject to the limitations of tables 2-5 and
2-6 for moderate hazard storage (use group B-1) . Such buildings shall
be used solely for that purpose.
4-25
415.1 ENCLOSURE WALLS: Exterior walls, when located within six (6)
feet of interior lot lines or other buildings shall have no openings
therein.
415.2 VENTILATION: All rooms and spaces used for motor vehicle re-
pair shop purposes shall be provided with an approved system of mechani-
cal ventilation providing at least four (4) air changes per hour and
meeting the requirements of section 413.2 and article 18.
415.3 FIRE PREVENTION: No open gas flames except heating devices com-
plying with section 413.5, torches, welding apparatus, or other equip-
ment likely to create an open flame, or spark shall be located in a
room or space in which flammable liquids or highly combustible materials
are used or stored.
SECTION 416.0 PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
The provisions of this section shall apply to all places of public
assembly and all parts of buildings and structures classified in the
use group F-1, theatres and in other places of public assembly, use
groups F-2 , F-3, and F-4 , except as specifically exempted in section
417.
416.1 RESTRICTIONS.
416.11 HIGH HAZARD USES: No place of public assembly shall be permit-
ted in a building classified in the high hazard group (use group A) .
416.12 FRAME CONSTRUCTION: No theatre with stage, fly gallery and
rigging loft shall be permitted in a building of frame (type A) con-
struction.
416.13 LOCATION: All buildings used for assembly purposes shall front
on at least one (1) street in which the main entrance and exitway dis-
charge shall be located. The main exitway shall be adequate to accom-
modate one-third (1/3) the total occupant load, but in any case, the
capacity of the main exitway shall be adequate to provide for the total
capacity of all exitway elements which lead to the main exitway.
416.14 TRIM, FINISH AND DECORATIVE HANGINGS: All permanent acoustic,
insulating and similar materials and temporary hangings shall comply
with the flameresistance requirements of article 9. Moldings and
decorations around the proscenium openings shall be constructed en-
tirely of noncombustible material.
416.15 EXISTING BUILDINGS: Nothing herein contained shall prohibit
the alteration of a building heretofore occupied as a place of public
assembly for such continued use provided the occupancy load is not
4-26
Increased and seats, aisles, passageways, balconies, stages, appurte-
nant rooms and all special permanent equipment comply with the require-
ments of this article.
416.16 NEW BUILDINGS: No building not heretofore occupied as a place
of public assembly shall hereafter be altered to be so occupied unless
it is made to comply with all the provisions of this article.
416.2 THEATRE MEANS OF EGRESS REQUIREMENTS.
416.21 TYPES OF EXITWAYS: The required exltways from every tier or
floor of a theatre shall consist of grade exitway discharge doors, in-
terior or exterior stairways or horizontal exits which provide direct
access to a street, an exitway discharge court, or unobstructed passage-
way, hallway or lobby leading to a street or open public space. The
number, location and construction of all means of egress facilities
shall comply with the requirements of article 6 and the provisions of
this section.
416.22 NUMBER OF STAIRWAYS IN AUDITORIUM: Each tier above the main
floor of a theatre or other auditorium shall be provided with at least
two (2) interior enclosed stairways which shall be loacted on opposite
sides of the structure with the following exception: stairs serving
the first balcony only or mezzanine thereunder shall not require en-
closures; however, such stairs shall discharge to a lobby on the main
floor. Exitway stairways serving galleries above the balcony shall
lead directly to the street or open public space as provided in sec-
tion 416.21.
416.23 EMERGENCY MEANS OF EGRESS FROM MAIN FLOOR OF AUDITORIUM: In
addition to the main floor entrance and exitway, emergency exitway
discharge doors shall be provided on both sides of the audltoritm
which lead directly to a street, or through an exterior passageway to
the street independent of other exltways, or to an exitway discharge
court as defined in this Code.
416.24 EMERGENCY MEANS OF EGRESS FROM BALCONIES AND GALLERIES: Emer-
gency exltways shall be provided from both sides of each balcony and
gallery with direct egress to the street, or to an Independent passage-
way, or to an exitway discharge court. There shall be no communication
from any portion of the building to the emergency exitway stairways ex-
cept from the tier for which such exitway is exclusively Intended.
416.25 EXITWAY DISCHARGE COURTS: All exitway discharge courts shall be
not less than six (6) feet wide for the first six hundred (600) persons
to be accommodated or fraction thereof, and shall be Increased one (1)
foot In width for each additional two hundred and fifty (250) persons.
Such courts shall extend sufficiently in length to Include the side and
rear emergency exltways from the auditorium.
416.26 HARDWARE: Refer to section 612.42 for requirements.
4-27
416.27 EXITWAY DOORWAY WIDTHS: The maximum width of single exitway
doorways shall be forty-two (42) inches and the minimum width of
double doorways shall be sixty-six (66) inches.
416.28 "EXIT" LIGHTS: All exitway doors shall be marked with illum-
inated "Exit" signs complying with section 624 which shall be kept
lighted at all times during occupancy of the building.
416.3 THEATRE SEATINGS .
416.31 FIXED SEATS: In all theatres and similar places of assembly
except churches, stadiums and reviewing stands, individual fixed seats
shall be provided with an average width of not less than thirty-two
(32) inches apart, back to back, measured horizontally. The clear
unobstructed distance which can be provided for passage between rows
of seats shall be twelve (12) inches.
416.32 NUMBER OF SEATS: Aisles shall be provided so that not more
than seven (7) seats intervene between any seat and the aisle or
aisles, except that the number of seats in a row shall not be limited
when self-raising seats are provided which leave an unobstructed pas-
sage between rows of seats of not less than eighteen (18) inches in
width leading to side aisle in which exitway doorways are located at
not more than twenty-five (25) foot intervals to the exitway corridor
or exitway discharge court.
416.33 BOX SEATS: In boxes or loges with level floors, the seats
need not be fastened when not more than fourteen (14) in number.
416.34 WHEELCHAIR FACILITIES: Facilities shall be provided for the
handicapped according to the provisions of the reference standards
of this article.
416.4 THEATRE AISLES.
416.41 LONGITUDINAL AISLES: The width of longitudinal aisles at
right angles to rows of seats and with seats on both sides of the
aisle shall be not less than forty-two (42) inches. The width of
the longitudinal aisles with banks of seats on one (1) side only
shall be not less than twenty-four (24) inches.
416.42 CROSS AISLES: When there are twenty-seven (27) or more rows
of seats on the main floor of theatres, cross aisles shall be pro-
vided so that no block of seats shall have more than twenty-two (22)
rows. The width of cross aisles shall be not less than the widest
aisle with which they connect or the width of exitway which they
serve; but no cross aisle shall be less than forty-two (42) inches
wide, or when bordering on means of entrance not less than forty-
eight (48) inches wide. In balconies and galleries of theatres, one
or more cross aisles shall be provided when there are more than ten
(10) rows of seats.
4-28
416.43 GRADIENT: Aisles shall not exceed a gradient of one and
three-quarters (1-3/4) inches per foot except where subject to re-
quirements for use of handicapped. No aisles or the main floor may
be stepped.
416.44 BALCONY STEPS: Steps may be provided in balconies and gal-
leries only, and such steps shall extend the full width of the aisle
with treads and risers complying with article 6, which shall be il-
luminated by lights on both sides or by a step light or otherwise
to insure an intensity of not less than one (1) foot candle.
416.45 RAILINGS: Metal or other approved noncombustible railings
shall be provided on balconies and galleries as herein prescribed :
At the facia of boxes, balconies and galleries not less than thirty
(30) inches in height; and not less than thirty-six (36) inches in
height at the foot of steps;
Along cross aisles not less than twenty-six (26) inches in height
except where the backs of the seats along the front of the aisle
project twenty-four (24) inches or more above the floor of the
aisle;
Where seatings are arranged in successive tiers, and the height of
rise between platforms exceeds eighteen (18) inches, not less than
twenty-six (26) inches in height along the entire row of se^its at
the edge of the platform.
416.5 THEATRE FOYERS.
416.51 CAPACITY: In every theatre or similar place of public assembly,
not including churches, for theatrical use with stage and scenery loft,
a foyer or lobby shall be provided with a net floor area, exclusive
of stairs or landings, of not less than one and one-half (l^g) square
feet for each occupant having access thereto. The use of foyers and
lobbies and other available spaces for harboring occupants until
seats become available shall not encroach upon the clear floor area
herein prescribed or upon the required clear width of front exitways .
416.52 EGRESS: When the foyer is not directly connected to the
public street through the main lobby, an unobstructed corridor or
passage shall be provided which leads to and equals in minimum width
the required width of main entrances and exitways.
416.53 GRADIENT: The rear foyer shall be at the same level as the
back of the auditorium and the exitways leading therefrom shall not
have a steeper gradiwnt than one (1) foot in ten (10) feet.
416.54 CONSTRUCTION: The partitions separating the foyer from the
auditorium and other adjoining rooms and spaces of theatres shall
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be constructed of not less than two (2) hour f ireresistance; except
that opening protectives may be constructed of noncombustible ma-
terials without f ireresistance rating.
416.55 WAITING SPACES: Waiting spaces for harboring occupants shall
be located only on the first or auditorium floor. Additional capacity
of exitway shall be provided for the waiting space occupancy based on
an allowance of three (3) square feet for each person.
416.6 THEATRE STAGE CONSTRUCTION.
416.61 STAGE ENCLOSURE WALLS: Every stage hereafter erected or al-
tered for theatrical performances which is equipped with portable or
fixed scenery, lights and mechanical appliances, shall be enclosed
on all sides with solid walls of not less than four (4) hour fire-
resistance, extending continuously from foundation to at least four (4)
feet above the roof. There shall be no window opening in such walls
within six (6) feet of an interior lot line; and all permissible win-
dow openings shall be protected with three-quarter (3/4) hour fire
windows complying with article 9.
416.62 FLOOR CONSTRUCTION: The entire stage, except that portion
used for the working of scenery, traps, and other mechanical appa-
ratus for the presentation of the scene, shall be not less than
three (3) hour fireresistive construction. All openings through the
stage floor shall be equipped with tight-fitting, solid wood trap
doors not less than three (3) inches in thickness or other materials
of equal physical and fireresistive properties .
416.63 ROOF AND RIGGING LOFT: The roof over the stage shall be of
not less than three (3) hour fireresistive construction. The rigging
loft, fly galleries and pin rails shall be constructed of approved
noncombustible materials.
416.64 FOOTLIGHTS AND STAGE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT: Footlights and
border lights shall be installed in troughs constructed of noncom-
bustible materials. All electrical equipment shall conform to the
requirements of Massachusetts State Electrical Code, and the switch-
board shall be readily accessible and protected from any potential
damage .
416.65 STAGE, MEANS OF EGRESS: There shall be provided at least
one (1) approved means of egress from each side of the stage lead-
ing to an approved discharge area.
416.66 PROSCENIUM WALL: There shall be no other openings in the
wall separating the stage from the auditorium except the main proscen-
ium opening; two (2) doorways at the stage level, one (1) on each
side thereof; and, where necessary, not more than two (2) doorways to
the musicians' pit from the space below the stage floor. Each such
doorway shall not exceed twenty-one (21) square feet in area and
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shall be protected with approved automatic and self-closing fire
door assemblies complying with article 9 with a combined fireresis-
tance rating of three (3) hours or the approved labeled equivalent.
416.67 PROSCENIUM CURTAIN: Where required, the proscenium opening
shall be protected with an approved automatic f ireresistive and
smoke-tight curtain, or its approved equivalent, designed to resist
an air pressure of not less than ten (10) pounds per square foot
normal to its surface, both inward and outward. The curtain shall
withstand a one-half (%) hour fire test at a temperature of not less
than seventeen hundred (1700) degrees F. without the passage of
flame. The curtain shall be operated by an automatic heat-activated
device to descend instantly and safely and to completely close the
proscenium opening at a rate of temperature rise of fifteen (15) to
twenty (20) degrees F. per minute, and by an auxiliary operating
device to permit prompt and immediate manual closing of the proscenium
opening .
416.68 STAGE VENTILATION: Metal or other approved noncombustible
ventilators, equipped with movable shutters or sash shall be pro-
vided over the stage, constructed to open automatically and instantly
by approved heat-activated devices, with an aggregate clear area of
opening not less than one-eighth (1/8) the area of the stage. Sup-
plemental means shall be provided for manual operation of the venti-
lator .
416.7 DRESSING AND APPURTENANT ROOMS.
416.71 CONSTRUCTION: Dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms,
work shops and store rooms and all compartments appurtenant to the
stage shall be of fireproof (type 1) construction and shall be sep-
arated from the stage and all other parts of the building by walls
of not less than three (3) hour f ireresistance. No such rooms shall
be placed immediately over or under the operating stage area.
416.72 OPENING PROTECTIVES : No openings other than to trunk rooms
and the necessary doorways at stage level shall connect such rooms
with the stage and such openings shall be protected with one and
one-half (1%) hour self-closing fire doors or the approved labeled
equivalent complying with article 9.
416.73 INTERIOR TRIM: All shelving and closets in dressing rooms,
property rooms or storage rooms shall be constructed of flameresis-
tant materials complying with article 9.
416.74 DRESSING ROOM AND STAGE EXITWAYS : Each tier of dressing
rooms shall be provided with at least two (2) means of egress, one
of which shall lead directly to an exitway corridor , exitway dis-
charge court or street. Exitway stairways from dressing and storage
rooms may be unenclosed in the stage area behind the proscenium wall.
At least one approved exitway shall be provided from each side of
the stage and from each side of the space under the stage, and from
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each fly gallery and from the gridiron to a street, exitway dis-
charge court or passageway to a street. An iron ladder shall be
provided from the gridiron to a scuttle in the stage roof.
416.8 LIGHTING.
416.81 EXITWAYS : During occupancy all exitways in places of assem-
bly shall be lighted to comply with the requirements of section 624.
416.82 AUDITORIUMS: Aisles in auditoriums shall be provided with
general illumination of not less than one-tenth (1/10) foot candles
at the front row of seats and not less than two-tenths (2/10) foot
candles at the last row of seats and the illumination shall be
maintained throughout the showing of motion pictures or other pro-
jections.
416.821 FOYERS AND WAITING SPACES: Foyers and waiting spaces shall
be artificially lighted by electrical means at all times during oc-
cupancy of a place of assembly so as to provide all illumination
of at least five (5) foot candles at the level of the floor and on
the surface of all stairs, steps, ramps, and escalators within the
foyers and waiting spaces.
416.822 OPEN EXTERIOR SPACES: Yards or courts which serve as open
exterior spaces shall be artificially lighted by electrical means
at all times between sunset and sunrise during occupancy of a place
of assembly so as to provide illumination of at least five (5) foot
candles at the level of the floor over at least the required area.
416.83 OTHER PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY: All areas and portions of
buildings used as places of public assembly other than theatres
shall be lighted by electric light to provide a general illumina-
tion of not less than one (1) foot candle.
416.84 CONTROL: The lighting of exitways, aisles and auditoriums
shall be controlled from a location inaccessible to unauthorized
persons. Supplementary control shall be provided as specified in
section 407.34 in the motion picture projection room.
416.85 EMERGENCY LIGHTING: In all theatre buildings and similar
structures used for public assembly purposes, all exitways shall
be lighted by means of electricity so arranged and controlled that
the interruption of service on any other circuit inside the build-
ing or structure will not interrupt the required exitway lighting,
including corridors, stairways, foyers, and lobbies.
416.9 FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT: Every theatre
classified in the F-1 use group shall be equipped with fire-extin-
guishing equipment complying with the requirements of article 12
and as herein specified.
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416.91 SPRINKLER SYSTEM: Approved automatic sprinkler systems com-
plying with the provisions of sections 1212 and 1213 shall be pro-
vided to protect all parts of the building except the auditorium,
foyers and lobbies or in the immediate vicinity of automatic equip-
ment or over dynamos and electric equipment. Such protection shall
be provided over the stage, under the gridiron, under all fly gal-
leries, in dressing rooms over the proscenium opening on the stage
side, under the stage, in all basements, cellars, work rooms, store
rooms, property rooms and in toilet, lounge, and smoking rooms.
416.92 STANDPIPES: Standpipe fire lines complying with the provi-
sions of sections 1206 and 1207 shall be provided with outlets and
hose attachments one on each side of the auditorium in each tier;
one in each mezzanine; one in each tier of dressing rooms; and
protecting each property, store and work room.
416.93 FIRST-AID STANDPIPES: First-aid standpipes complying with
the provisions of section 1209 shall be provided on each side of
the stage. Such standpipes shall be not less than two and one-half
(2h) inches in diameter, equipped with one and one-half (l^s) inch
hose and three-eighth (3/8) inch nozzles.
416.94 HOSE OUTLETS: A sufficient quantity of hose shall be pro-
vided, equipped with regulation fire department couplings, nozzle
and hose spanner, to reach all areas as specified in article 12.
416.95 FIRST-AID HAND EQUIPMENT: Approved portable two and one-
half (2^2) gallon fire extinguishers shall be provided and located
as follows: two (2) on each tier on floor of the stage; one (1)
immediately outside of the motion picture projection room; one
(1) in each dressing room; and one (1) in each work, utility and
storage room. Fire axes and fire hooks shall also be provided as
directed by the fire official; and all fire extinguishers and fire
tools shall be securely mounted on walls in plain view and readily
accessible.
SECTION 417.0 PUBLIC ASSEMBLY OTHER THAN THEATRES
Other places of public assembly including auditoriums, armories,
bowling alleys, broadcasting studios, chapels, community houses,
dance halls, gymnasiums, lecture halls, museums, exhibition halls,
night ciubs, restaurants, rinks, roof gardens and similar occupan-
cies and uses shall comply with the general exitway requirements
of article 6 and the applicable requirements of section 416, except
the provisions of sections 416.45 and 416.54 or as herein specifi-
cally exempted. Places of public assembly which are equipped with
a stage, movable scenery, scenery loft and dressing rooms shall
comply with all the requirements of section 418, except use groups
F-1 theatres.
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417.1 NUMBER OF EXITWAYS : Every tier, floor level and story of places
of public assembly other than theatres, shall be provided with the
number of required exitways herein specified of not less than the
required width complying with article 6 for the occupancy load. The
required exitways shall be remote and independent of each other and
located on opposite sides of the area served thereby.
Minimum Number
Occupancy Load Per Floor of Exitways
Not more than 500 2
501 to 900 3
901 to 1800 4
Over 1800 5
417.2 AISLES WITH FIXED SEATS: All rows of seats shall be individually
fixed or fixed in rigid units between longitudinal aisles complying with
section 416.32 and 416.4 except as provided for chapels and churches in
section 610.3. Where permitted, continuous fixed benches shall comply
with the provisions of section 421.7.
417.3 AISLES WITHOUT FIXED SEATS: Tables and chairs in all rooms and
spaces for assembly use shall provide convenient access by unobstructed
aisles not less than thirty-six (36) inches wide which lead to required
exitways complying with article 6. Tables and chairs shall be so arranged
that the distance from any chair at any table by way of a path between
tables and chairs is not greater than eighteen (18) feet to an aisle
leading to an exitway. The width of the path shall be at least eighteen
(18) inches; except that it may be reduced by one (1) inch for each one
(1) foot that the distance to the aisle is less than eighteen (18) feet,
but may not be reduced to less than twelve (12) inches. Chairs, when
placed with the front edge of the seat on a line with the edge of the
table, shall not protrude into this path. Booths containing up to eight
(8) seats may be used, provided they open directly on an aisle.
417.4 KITCHEN AND SERVICE PANTRIES: Where kitchen and service pantries
are provided, they shall be separately enclosed in partitions, floors
and ceilings of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance,
except for opening protectives; and no required element of exitway shall
pass through such areas.
417.5 BOWLING ALLEYS: The storage and use of all volatile flammable
liquids shall comply with section 403 and the finishing rooms shall be
separately enclosed in two (2) hour fireresistive construction with
floor finish of concrete or other noncombustible, nonabsorbent material.
417.6 SKATING RINKS: No skating rinks shall be located below the floor
nearest grade.
SECTION 418.0 AMUSEMENT PARKS
All buildings and structures used as part of an amusement park shall
be subject to the provisions of this Code as applicable. Unusual
buildings, structures or devices which require a building permit by the
provisions of this Code but are beyond the normal scope of applicability
of this Code shall be subject to the provisions of section 128.0 and
shall be considered to be within those categories of structures listed
in section 128.1 as subject to control.
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418.1 TEMPORARY AMUSEMENT FACILITIES AND DEVICES: Any moving struc-
ture or structure with any moving parts, and any structure, which
in the opinion of the local building official, may represent a poten-
tial danger or hazard, shall have an affadavit submitted by a quali-
fied registered professional engineer that the structure as designed
and constructed is safe for its intended use and he shall provide
certification that the structure has been inspected by a qualified
registered professional engineer within six (6) months and meets all
the requirements necessary to operate safely according to its design
use. Furthermore, a qualified registered professional engineer shall
be responsible for direction of the erection of such structures and
shall certify that they have been erected in compliance with their
design requirements. Any such structure, which is to accommodate
human use in any way, shall be certified for the number of persons
for which it is designed or as may be allowed by the local building
official.
SECTON 419.0 STADIUMS AND GRANDSTANDS
Stadiiams and grandstands shall be constructed as required by this
Code and in accordance with the approved rules and the Standard for
Tents and Grandstands Used for Places of Assembly (NFPA 102) listed
in the reference standards of this article.
419.1 RAILS: Every ramp, stairway, deck and tier shall have an ap-
proved protective railing or guard not less than three (3) feet six
(6) inches high on all open sides when three (3) feet or more above
grade level or above any other level occupied by the public. Front
railings of grandstands when the foot rest is more than two (2) feet
above the ground shall be not less than thirty-three (33) inches
high.
419.2 SPACES UNDERNEATH SEATS: Spaces underneath grandstand seats
shall be kept free of all combustible and flammable materials and
shall not be occupied or used for other than exltways; except that
when enclosed in not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour fireresistive
construction, the building official may approve the use of such spaces
for other purposes that do not endanger the safety of the public.
SECTION 420.0 TENTS AND OTHER TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
Tents shall be constructed as required by this Code and in accord-
ance with accepted engineering practice and the Standard for Tents,
Grandstands and Air-Supported Structures Used for Places of Assembly
(NFPA 102) listed in the reference standards of this article.
420.1 CONDITIONS OF PERMIT AND LOCATION: Tents and other temporary
structures may be erected for a period as determined by the building
official. Such structures may not be erected within the fire district
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for a period of more than twenty-four (24) hours unless such use is
reviewed and approved by the fire official, and any such structure
erected within the fire district shall be subject to any condition
of use and protection as may be determined by the building official.
420.2 TENT CONSTRUCTION: Tents and other temporary structures shall
be of an approved type and shall have evidence submitted that the
structure satisfies all structural and fire-safety requirements.
420.3 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS: No combustible materials shall be per-
mitted under stands or seats at any time. Excessive vegetation shall
not be allowed beneath the stands or seats.
SECTION 421.0 RADIO AND TELEVISION TOWERS
Commercial radio and television towers shall have complete structural
drawings and specifications submitted by a qualified registered pro-
fessional engineer, bearing his seal and signature.
SECTION 422.0 SWIMMING POOLS
422.1 GENERAL: Pools used for swimming or bathing shall be in con-
formity with the requirements of this section; provided, however,
these regulations shall not be applicable to any such pool less than
twenty-four (24) inches deep or having a surface area less than two-
hundred and fifiy (250) square feet. For purposes of this Code, pools
are classified as private swimming pools or public swimming pools, as
defined in section 422.2.
422.2 CLASSIFICATION OF POOLS: Any pool intended to be used primarily
for swimming and designated as being a private pool for the use only
of the occupants of a one- or two-family dwelling shall be designated
a private pool. Any pool intended to be used primarily for swimming
which is not a private pool as defined above shall be classified as a
public pool.
422.3 PLANS AND PERMIT.
422.31 PERMITS: No swimming pool subject to the provisions of this
Code shall be constructed, installed, enlarged, or altered until a
building permit has been obtained from the building official.
422.32 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: The application for the permit shall
be accompanied by copies of the specifications and plans drawn to scale.
The plans shall accurately show dimensions and construction of the pool
including vertical elevations and sections showing depth in sufficient
clarity to clearly indicate the nature of the structure and show all
details necessary for conformance with the provisions of this Code.
All plans for public pools must be submitted with the seal and signa-
ture of a qualified registered professional engineer.
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422.4 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
422.41 GENERAL: Pools shall be constructed so as to be water tight and
easily cleaned. They shall provide safe and easy means of egress.
422.42 STRUCTURAL DESIGN: The pool structure shall be engineered and
designed in conformance with the normal engineering practices and subject
to all the provisions of this Code.
422.43 WALL SLOPES: In public swimming pools, which are designed and
constructed subject to the provisions of this Code, the side and end
walls shall be vertical and shall have a safety ledge at the deep end of
the pool, located at a level four (4) feet six (6) inches below the
surface of the water. Safety ledges shall be four (4) inches wide.
422.44 FLOOR SLOPES: In public pools, the slope of the floor on the
shallow side of the transition point between shallow and deep water
shall not be more than five (5) feet deep.
422.45 SURFACE CLEANING: All swimming pools shall be provided with a
recirculating skimming device or overflow gutters to remove scum and
foreign matter from the surface of the water in conformance with Article
VI of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Health
Sanitary Code.
422.46 WALKWAYS: All public swimming pools shall have walkways not
less than four (4) feet in width extending entirely around the pool.
Where curbs or sidewalks are used around any swimming pool, they shall
have a nonslip surface for a width of not less than one (1) foot at the
edge of the pool and shall be so arranged to prevent return of surface
water to the pool.
422.47 STEPS AND LADDERS: Steps or ladders may be used as approved
means of egress from swimming pools. At least one (1) approved means of
egress must be provided in any pool constructed subject to the provisions
of this Code. Steps must be nonskid and have the following requirements:
Width ten (10) inches minimum, area two hundred and forty (240) square
inches minimum, risers twelve (12) inches maximum.
In public pools, step holes inserted in the pool wall shall not be
accepted as a required means of egress. All steps and ladders shall
have handrails on both sides extending onto the deck surface adjacent to
the pool. Handrails are not required in private pools where there are
four steps or fewer.
In public pools, approved means of egress must be provided for a
maximum of seventy-five (75) feet of pool perimeter wherever the height
from the bottom of the pool to the ledge or top of the wall exceeds
twelve (12) inches.
422.5 WATER SUPPLY, TREATMENT AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS: All water supply,
treatment and drainage systems shall conform to the requirements of
Article VI of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public
Health Sanitary Code.
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422.6 APPURTENANT STRUCTURES
422.61 APPURTENANT STRUCTURES: All appurtenant structures, Installa-
tions, and equipment; such as showers, dressing rooms, equipment houses
or other buildings and structures, including plumbing, heating, and
air conditioning, amongst others appurtenant to a swimming pool, shall
comply with all applicable requirements of the Basic Code, the Massa-
chusetts State Plumbing Code, the Massachusetts State Electrical Code,
and Article VI of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of
Public Health Sanitary Code.
422.62 ACCESSORIES: All swimming pool accessories shall be designed,
constructed, and installed so as not to be a safety hazard. Installa-
tions or structures for diving purposes shall be properly anchored to
insure stability, and properly designed and located for maximum safety.
422.7 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
422.71 ELECTRICAL SAFETY: The construction and installation of elec-
trical wiring for equipment in or adjacent to swimming pools, to me-
talic appurtenances in or within five (5) feet of the pool, and to
auxiliary equipment such as pumps, filters, and similar equipment shall
conform to article 680 of the Massachusetts State Electrical Code.
422.72 EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS: Pumps, filters, and other mechanical
and electrical equipment for public and semi-public swimming pools
shall be enclosed in such a manner as to be accessible only to autho-
rized persons and not to bathers. Construction and drainage shall be
such as to avoid the entrance and accumulation of water in the vicinity
of electrical equipment .
422.8 GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Any public swimming pool shall ba
enclosed by an impassible four (4) foot high fence with a self-latching
gate or an equivalent enclosure or means of protection from access to
the pool.
SECTION 423.0 OPEN PARKING STRUCTURES
Opening parking structures shall be subject to the provisions of
this section, Massachusetts State Fire Prevention Regulation, FPR-4
and NFPA 88 such that those regulations which provide for the greatest
public safety shall apply in any case. In addition, where applicable,
sections 414, 415 and 410 of this Code shall apply.
423.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Open Structures for the parking of pas-
senger motor vehicles shall be constructed of noncombustlble materials
throughout, including structural framing, floors, roofs and walls.
423.11 VEHICLE CAPACITY: Open passenger vehicle parking structures are
those structures used for the parking or storage of passenger motor vehicles
designed to carry not more than nine (9) persons.
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423.12 RAMP TYPE STRUCTURES: Ramp type parking structures are
those employing a series of continuously rising floors or a series
of interconnecting ramps between floors permitting the movement of
passenger automobiles under their own power to and from the street
level .
423.13 MECHANICAL TYPE PARKING STRUCTURES: Mechanical type parking
structures employ specially designed parking machines, elevators,
lifts, conveyors, moving cranes, dollies, or other devices for
moving passenger vehicles to and from the street level.
423.2 SEPARATIONS: Parking structures may be erected without
enclosure walls with the following exception: when located within
fifteen (15) feet of interior lot lines a noncombustible enclosure
wall of two (2) hours fireresistance rating with no openings is
required.
423.3 MEANS OF EGRESS: Refer to section 609.3.
423.4 BASEMENTS: Basements, if used for parking vehicles, shall be
sprinklered in accordance with article 12, and shall comply with the
ventilation requirements of section 415.12.
423.5 HEIGHTS AND AREAS: Heights and areas of open parking structures
shall not exceed the limits in the following table:
TABLE 4-4 HEIGHT AND LIMITATION FOR OPEN PARKING STRUCTURES
Type of Construction Height Are a
lA, IB, 2A Unlimited Unlimited
2B 100' Unlimited
2C 75' Unlimited
423.51 HORIZONTAL DISTANCE: The horizontal distance from any point
on any level to an exterior wall opening on a street, alley, court-
yard, or any other permanent open space shall not exceed two hundred
(200) feet.
423.52 STREET FRONTAGE INCREASE: The areas of open parking structures
shall be subject to the provisions of section 308.1.
423.6 CURBS AND BUMPERS: Curbs or bumpers of noncombustible materials
shall be provided at the perimeter of each parking tier. Such curbs
or bumpers shall be at least twelve (12) inches high, substantially
anchored, and so located that no part of any motor vehicle will
contact a wall, partition or railing.
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hl3.1 RAILINGS: Substantial railings or protective guards of non-
combustible materials shall be provided at the perimeter of all park-
ing tiers; except where exterior walls are provided, and around all
interior floor openings. Such railings or guards shall be at least
three (3) feet six (6) inches high, and shall be designed in accor-
dance with the requirements of article 7.
423.8 FLOOR OPENINGS: Floor openings shall be protected by enclosure
barriers at least six (6) inches high.
SECTION 424.0 GROUP RESIDENCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
424.1 DEFINITION: A premise, licensed or operated by an agency of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the residential care in any
single building of not more than twelve (12) unrelated persons between
the ages of seven (7) and fifteen (15) inclusive, or up to twenty-five
(25) unrelated persons sixteen (16) years of age or over, as may be
approved by the licensing or operating state agency, who are capable of
self-preservation. The use of such accommodations provided for a group
residence as defined herein shall be considered the same as a normal
single-family residence for the purpose of these regulations and shall
not be construed as being similar to a boarding house, lodging house
or dormitory. These provisions will apply to group residence uses
providing accommodations for the care of not more than twenty-five (25)
individuals.
424.2 NEW AND EXISTING OCCUPANCIES: These regulations apply to exist-
ing buildings, which are to be used as group residences as defined in
section 424.1 of this Code, and to buildings and/or structures herein-
after erected or altered, which are to be used as group residences as
defined in section 424.1 of this Code.
424.21 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: Any existing building whose occupancy
is altered for use as a group residency under the provisions of section
424.0 shall have filed with the local building department a complete
set of plans showing in detail all rooms, doors, corridors, windows,
stairs and stairways, hazard vertical openings (section 424.51), and
the location of all JEire detection equipment, alarms, and fire sup-
pression equipment.
424.3 HAZARD OF CONTENTS: Any household contents, which represent a
fire hazard greater than that which could be expected of ordinary
household furnishings, shall not be allowed.
424.4 MEANS OF EGRESS: A means of egress shall be a continous path
of travel from any point in a building to the open air outside at
ground level.
424.41 PRINCIPAL MEANS OF EGRESS: There shall be a principal means
of egress normally used by the occupants to leave the building. Under
fire conditions this exit would be the first choice for exiting.
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klk.kl ESCAPE ROUTE: There shall be a back-up, or escape route, avail-
able to each occupant from any occupied portion of the building to pre-
clude any possibility of entrapment in the event that the principal
means of egress is blocked by fire, smoke or structural collapse. This
escape route shall be so determined as to minimize the likelihood that
it can be deliberately compromised.
424.43 TIME FOR EGRESS: The time taken to accomplish total evacuation
of the building shall not exceed one (1) minute per floor, with a maxi-
mum time of two and one-half (2%) minutes as determined by and to the
satisfaction of the licensing agency in accordance with Section 9.1 of
9 CHSR S. 51 Title 9 Code of Human Services Regulations, promulgated by
the Executive Office of Human Services of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts.
424.44 REQUIREMENTS FOR EGRESS AND ESCAPE ROUTES: All main egress
doors must swing in the anticipated direction of egress or escape
where practicable.
424.5 FIRE PROTECTION FEATURES.
424.51 HAZARDOUS VERTICAL OPENINGS: Hazardous Vertical Openings such
as laundry chutes, dumb waiters, heating plenums or combustible concealed
spaces shall be enclosed or protected with a minimum of three-eights
(3/8) inch gypsum sheet rock on the side of the expected exposure to
delay the spread of fire and smoke. Automatic detection systems as
specified in Section 6 shall be provided in each space.
424.52 SMOKE SCREENS: For the purposes of this Code a solid bonded
core smokestop wood door with an automatic closer will be acceptable
as a divider in providing two noncrossing, independent, egress routes.
424.53 INTERIOR FINISH: Only Class A and B Interior Finishes shall be
permitted in the principal means of egress (to flame spread of seventy-
five (75)). In the refinishing of any area, materials with a flame spread
rating in excess of two hundred (200) are not allowed.
424.6 ALARM DETECTION SYSTEM: An approved automatic fire/smoke detec-
tor system and alarm system shall be provided.
424.61 TYPES AND LOCATIONS OF DETECTORS:
TYPE LOCATION
Products of Combustion Principal means of egress on each
floor.
Smoke Detectors Living-Dining-Recreation Areas.
Rate of Rise Detectors Boiler Room-Kitchen-Bedroom.
Fixed Temperature Detectors Closets and vent shafts, and con-
cealed spaces.
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424.62 TYPES AND LOCATIONS OF ALAEMS :
TYPE LOCATION
Manual Sending Each exit of principal means of
egress.*
Manual Sending One outdoor alarm of a type ac-
ceptable to local Fire Depart-
ments; maximum two hundred (200)
feet from building.*
Automatic Connection to Manual From each detector.
*To municipal fire department as
well, wherein practicable.
424.63 ALARM SOUNDING AND VISIBLE DEVICES: Alarm sounding devices shall
be provided of such character and so distributed as to be effectively
heard in every room above all other sounds. Visible alarm devices may be
used only in conjunction with an approved back-up system, and where spe-
cifically approved.
Every alarm sounding device shall be distinctive in pitch and quality
from all other sounding devices.
424.64 MAINTENANCE AND SUPERVISION: Each detector (or system) and alarm
shall be provided with a signal (either visible or audible) to indicate
when it is not capable of functioning according to its designed purpose;
and shall be periodically inspected and certified by the licensing agency.
The entire electrical alarm and detector system circuit shall be designed
so that the disruption of any part of the continuous circuit will set
off an alarm.
424.7 FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT: Manually operated fire-fighting equipment
such as hand extinguishers, shall be available to the custodian and other
designated personnel.
424.8 INSPECTION: Inspections shall be made frequently by authorized
inspectors to insure conformance with this Code. The results of such
inspections shall be reported to the licensing agency on a prepared
checklist and signed by the authorized inspector.
424.9 FINAL CERTIFICATION OF OCCUPANT: After preliminary certification
by those qualified certifying personnel as specified in 9 CHSR S.51 Title
9 Code of Human Services Regulations, Section 51, each occupant must be
certified at regular intervals but not less than once every quarter at
the place of proposed residency by the licensing agency.
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SECTION 425.0 COVERED MALLS
Covered malls shall be constructed in accordance with one of the follow-
ing options:
425.1 OPTION 1: The covered mall and all buildings connected thereto
shall be treated as a single building and shall be subject to the pro-
visions of this Code for the specific use group and type of construc-
tion;
425.2 OPTION 2: The mall may be considered to be an accessible unoccu-
pied open space that separates the construction into one or more build-
ings if the following requirements are met :
a) the covered mall shall be at least thirty (30) feet in width.
b) the least, unobstructed, horizontal dimension at any place in the
covered mall shall be ten (10) feet.
c) combustible kiosks or other similar structures shall not be loca-
ted within the covered mall.
d) kiosks or similar areas (temporary or permanent) located within the
covered mall shall be provided with approved fire suppression and
detection devices as required by the building official.
e) the minimum horizontal separation between kiosks and similar areas
and buildings connected to the covered mall shall be twenty (20
feet.
f) the covered mall shall be of noncombustible or type 3A construction.
g) the covered mall and all buildings connected thereto shall be pro-
vided throughout with an approved fire suppression system. The
suppression system in the covered mall shall be independent of the
suppression systems in the buildings connected to the covered mall.
h) multi-level covered malls shall be sufficiently open, so that a
hazardous condition occurring on one level will be readily visible
to occupants on all levels.
i) floor-ceiling assemblies and their supporting columns and beams
within multi-level covered malls shall be of one (1) hour fire-
resistive noncombustible construction.
j) the covered mall shall be provided with break-out panels, skylights
mechanical ventilation or other approved method of providing for
ventilation of products of combustion in case of fire.
k) one-half ih) of the required number of exitways from each tenant
area shall lead to the outside by means other than through the
covered mall.
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Exception: Tenant areas less than twenty-five hundred (2500)
square feet in area.
1) exit signs and directional (exit) signs indicating the nonmall
exitways shall be located so as to be easily visible from the
mall-tenant area entrance.
m) exitways from the covered mall shall be located so that the
length of travel from any mall-tenant area entrance to the
exitway shall not exceed two hundred (200) feet.
n) standpipes and hose cabinets shall be provided at two hundred
(200) foot intervals along the covered mall.
SECTION 426.0 NURSING HOMES, REST HOMES, CHARITABLE HOMES FOR THE
AGED, CONVALESCENT HOMES AND HOSPITALS.
I
Buildings in use group H-2 used as nursing homes, rest homes, charitable
homes for the aged, convalescent homes and hospitals shall meet the
provisions of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 1967, the applicable provisions
of the Basic Code and the following provisions:
426.1 MEANS OF EGRESS.
426.11 CORRIDORS: Corridors shall terminate at stairwells or at doors
to grade, except that subsidiary corridors off main corridors, restricted
to service areas (linen closets, janitor closets, bathing areas, beauty
or barber shops, storage, utility rooms, treatment or examining rooms or
offices) may be dead-ended providing they do not extend farther than
thirty (30) feet beyond the exit stair, door or corridor and serve a
total occupant load of not more than ten (10) persons.
426.12 PATIENT ROOM EGRESS: Two independent egresses shall be provided
from each patient's room, one of which may be by communicating door or
direct to the outside.
426.13 WARD OR DORMITORY EGRESS: In wards or dormitories with six (6)
or more occupants (patients or boarders) there shall be two (2) egresses,
one of which shall be directly to the outside.
426.14 COMMUNICATING DOORS: Communicating doors in patients' rooms and
the direct-to-the-outside door from wards or dormitories may be omitted
from type 1, 2A or 2B construction.
426.15 STAIRWAYS: Stairs shall be a minimum of four (4) feet between
walls or between walls and balustrades.
426.16 EGRESS DOORS: All designated egress doors shall open in the
direction of egress. Patient bedroom doors may swing in either direction,
providing those swinging into a corridor are recessed and will protrude
not more than five (5) inches into the corridor when opened ninety (90)
degrees.
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426.17 EGRESS DOOR WIDTHS: Egress doors to the outside shall be forty-
four (44) inches in width. Doors from the patients' rooms to the corridor
shall be three (3) feet eight (8) inches in width. Communicating doors
between rooms shall be a minimum of two (2) feet eight (8) inches in
width.
426.2 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Nursing homes and convalescent homes
shall be built only of type 1 and 2 construction.
SECTION 427.0 DAY CARE CENTERS (H-2)
Day care centers shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the
Basic Code and the provisions of this section. Day care centers licensed
by the Office of Children shall be subject to compliance with the rules
and regulations of that authority.
427.1 LOCATION
427.11 HIGH HAZARD RESTRICTION: No day care centers may occupy the same
building with or be within two hundred (200) feet of a high hazard
occupancy.
427.12 BASEMENT USE: A basement, as defined in the Basic Code, of a
type 4B construction structure, may not be used for a day care center.
427.2 MEANS OF EGRESS
427.21 FEWER THAN THIRTY (30) CHILDREN: Where the basement is used as
the day care center or part thereof, for fewer than thirty (30) children
there shall be two exitways placed as remote from each other as possible.
One such exitway shall be directly to the outside at grade level and
shall require less than eight (8) feet of vertical travel to reach the
exitway discharge. In such an exitway, where stairs are used, the
stairway may not be enclosed if the vertical travel is less than four
(4) feet. Otherwise, a two (2) hour enclosure is required for the
stairway with a one and one-half (1%) hour self-closing fire door.
427.22 THIRTY (30) OR MORE CHILDREN: Where the basement is used as the
day care center or part thereof, for thirty (30) or more children, at
least two (2) exitways, placed as remotely as possible from each other,
shall be provided directly to the outside, one (1) of which shall discharge
at ground level.
427.23 EXITWAY REQUIREMENTS: Exitway other than those required by
sections 427.21 and 427.22 shall lead to the primary floor for discharge.
Stairways for such exitways shall have egress doors which are self-
closing and one and one-half (Ih) hours f ireresistance rating.
427.24 EGRESS ON FLOORS OTHER THAN BASEMENT: Each story shall be pro-
vided with not less than two (2) means of egress properly located, and
such additional approved egresses shall be located from the occupied
spaces so that to reach an egress, it will not be necessary to pass
through a common corridor or space.
427.25 EGRESS FROM EACH ROOM: Two (2) approved egresses properly
located shall be provided from each occupied room (one (1) of which may
be by communicating door) leading to two (2) separate exits so arranged
that to reach one it will not be necessary to pass through the common
corridor or space.
427.26 STAIRWAYS: All required egress stairways shall be enclosed with
not less than one (1) hour f ireresistance rating and one (1) hour fire-
resistance self-closing doors unless otherwise specified in this section.
427.27 EGRESS LIGHTING: Egress lighting shall be provided as required
by the building official and in conformance with article 6 , including
requirements for emergency lighting.
427.3 DOORWAYS: All exitway doorways shall be at least thirty-six (36)
inches in width. All other doorways shall be at least thirty-two (32)
inches in width.
427.4 HANDRAILS: All required egress stairways shall be provided with
double handrails on both sides, and these shall be continuous including
all runs and platforms and shall be built as follows :
a) the upper rail shall be installed at approximately thirty-three
(33) inches high measured vertically at the face of the riser.
b) the lower rail shall be installed at approximately twenty (20)
inches high measured vertically at the face of the riser.
427.5 HEATERS: Any heaters in spaces occupied by children shall be
separated from the occupied space by partitions, guards, screens, or
other means. Space and unit heaters using combustibles shall be pro-
hibited.
427.6 BOILER ROOMS: Boilers, furnaces or other fire units shall be en-
closed as required in section 1113. No boiler room door shall open into
an occupied area.
427.7 FLOOR AND CEILING PROTECTION: When the occupied floor is above
any usable space, the floor shall have a three-quarter (3/4) hour fire
rating.
4-46
SECTION 460.0 SCHOOLHOUSE BUILDINGS
The provisions of this section shall apply to all buildings,
structures and parts thereof which are classified as schoolhouse
buildings as defined in article 2.
460.1 ADMINISTRATIVE
460.11 INCREASE IN BUILDING SIZE: If the building is increased
in floor area or number of stories, the entire building shall be
made to conform with these regulations in respect to means of
egress, fire safety, light and ventilation with the following
exceptions: a) Horizontal additions with fire divisions, and
b) An increase in floor area of ten (10) percent or less for
nonclassroom use- -are permitted provided compliance with the area
limitations of Table 2-6 and of section 304 are maintained for
the existing building.
460.12 STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE: All drawings submitted in com-
pliance with section 113 shall be prepared by a registered archi-
tect, a registered surveyor, and/or a registered professional
engineer and shall bear their registration stamp. The first sheet
of their respective drawings shall bear signed statements by them
that the materials and construction indicated conforms to at least
the requirements of this Code.
460.2 SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS
460.21 WELDING
460.211 Welding booths shall be constructed of noncombustible
material and in a manner which will permit escape by slight pressure.
460.212 In a multi-storied building, the floor and ceiling of a
room where welding is being performed shall be of type 1 or type 2
construction.
460.213 Each shop where welding is performed shall have two (2)
individual means of egress not less than three (3) feet wide leading
to separate exits remote from each other. One of these means of
egress shall be direct to the outside and shall be equipped with
an outward swinging, panic equipped escape door. Doors for such
shops shall be constructed of a fire resistant material or be
metal clad. Doors shall be equipped with automatic door closers.
460.214 Walls for shops shall be not less than two (2) hour
noncombustible and constructed of solid masonry or of concrete
blocks with metal wall reinforcement in alternate courses.
460.22 GLASS
460.221 Nonshattering glass, or guard rails or comparable protec-
tion shall be used when glass is installed below a height of
thirty-two (32) inches, except that nonshattering glass or double
4-46A
guard rails shall be provided below a height of forty-eight (48)
inches in corridors or congregating areas. Guard rails shall be
placed on the exterior if the adjacent outside area is paved.
460.222 In control screens and smoke screens, glass shall be
nonshattering and three-quarter (3/4) hour fireresistant.
460.223 Glass used in doors shall comply with the American Nation-
al Standard known as Z97-1 (1966) except where required to be wire
glass to achieve a degree of f ireresistance. This section shall
also apply to sliding glass doors, storm doors, shower doors,
bathtub enclosures and fixed glass panels adjacent to entrance
and exit doors which because of their location, size and design
may be mistaken as a means of ingress or egress.
460.224 Each light of safety glazing material installed as required
by section 460.223 shall be permanently labeled by means of etching,
sandblasting or firing of ceramic material to identify the labeler,
whether manufacturer, fabricator or installer, and the nominal
thickness and the type of safety glazing material and the fact that
said material meets the test requirements of section 856.37.
460.23 SANITATION: Design total student population for calculating
sanitation requirements shall be certified by the architect or
owner.
All sanitation requirements shall be those as specified in the
applicable provisions of the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code,
460.231 FACILITIES FOR HAOT)ICAPPED: Sanitation for the handi-
capped shall conform to the Rules and Regulations of the Board
to Facilitate the Use of Public Buildings by the Physically
Handicapped, Form PHR-1, dated December 18, 1968.
460.24 CEILING HEIGHT: Classrooms shall have an average height
of eight (8) feet six (6) inches minimum under the beams or
ceilings. In establishing the average, a minimum of seven (7)
feet shall be used.
460,3 LIGHT AND VENTILATION
460.31 LIGHTING: All rooms, corridors, stairways and exits,
including outside steps, shall be suitably lighted when in use.
460.311 All classrooms used for students below grade 7, and a
minimum of fifty (50) percent of all other classrooms shall be
provided with natural lighting from transparent glass windows in
outside walls. Colleges and universities are excepted from this
requirement.
460.312 Artificial lighting shall be so designed to provide
minimum intensities "maintained" as listed below. Except where
noted, illumination measurements shall be made in a horizontal
plane thirty (30) inches above floor level.
4-46B
460.313 Classrooms, laboratories, study halls, libraries, offices,
shops, combination-use rooms if used as study halls or libraries,
and other instruction areas: 30-foot candles.
460.314 Drafting rooms, sewing rooms and sight-saving classrooms:
50-foot candles.
460.315 Gymnasiums, lunchrooms, playrooms and multi-purpose rooms:
20-foot candles.
460.316 Auditoriums and corridors: 10-foot candles.
460.317 Stairways: 10-foot candles, measured at the edge of the
tread.
460.318 Toilet rooms: 20-foot candles.
460.319 Rooms designed for more than one (1) instructional purpose
shall be illuminated at the highest level required for any of
the activities they are designed to serve.
460.32 LIGHTING FIXTURES: The lighting fixtures in assembly
halls, gymnasiums, and rooms used for instruction or study shall
be of a type which will provide proper illumination. Protection
against accidental breakage shall be provided in any areas used
for physical activities.
460.33 VENTILATION: General mechanical means of ventilation shall
be provided for all schoolrooms with a minimum capacity of twenty-
four (24) cubic feet of standard air per minute for each occupant.
460.331 The air supply shall be taken from a source as free from
dust or other impurities as possible. There shall be at least six
(6) feet between the air intake of any unit and any other exhaust
outlet.
460.332 OUTSIDE AIR: A minimum of ten (10) c.f.m. shall be fresh
outdoor air. The volume of supply air shall be maintained constant
by proper operation of the equipment and shall slightly pressurize
the room. Provision shall be made for the removal of nine (9)
c.f.m. of standard air per student in each room, through openings
located at or near the floor or ceiling, vent ducts, etc., with
proper means to control and regulate same. In determining the
amount of outdoor air to be supplied to a given space, the amount
required per student, together with enough to slightly pressurize
the room and a proportionate amount of make-up air to contribute
to any unsupplied but ventilated areas (corridors, toilet rooms,
etc.) shall be used.
460.333 STUDENT POPULATION: The design total student population
of each area for calculating ventilation requirements in accord-
ance with section 113.5 shall be certified by the architect and
the owner.
4-46C
450.334 SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS TO VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS
460.335 BUILDINGS NOT OCCUPIED: The ventilation system shall
be kept in operation at all times during normal occupancy of the
building or space so used. When a space is not occupied, its
ventilation system may be shut down and its outside air supply
closed,
460.336 COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS: At outdoor air temperatures
below thirty-five (35) degrees F,, the minimum outside air require-
ments (508,2) may be reduced progressively to as low as zero (0)
c.f,m, per occupant at a winter outdoor design temperature of zero
(0) degrees or below.
460.337 AIR CONDITIONED CLASSROOMS: Classrooms provided with air
conditioning equipment designed to provide a maximum temperature
of seventy-eight (78) degrees F. at a relative humidity not to ex-
ceed fifty (50) percent when the outside temperature is at ninety-
three (93) F.D.B. and seventy-five (75) degrees F.W.B. , the minimum
outside air requirement of section 508.2 may be reduced to not less
than five (5) cubic feet per minute per occupant during the cooling
cycle. The air to be removed also shall be proportionately reduced.
460.34 VENTILATION OF SPECIAL SPACES
460.341 Lunchrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, and locker-shower
rooms: In lunchrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, and locker-shower
rooms, the supply of air shall be equivalent to one and one-half
(1 1/2) cubic feet of standard air per minute per square foot of
floor area, of which one-half (1/2) shall be fresh outdoor air.
The removal of air shall provide a minimum of four (4) air changes
per hour of three-quarter (3/4) cubic feet per minute per square
foot of floor area, whichever is less. Where such rooms, except
those used for lunchrooms, have a ceiling height exceeding fifteen
(15) feet, with a minimum outside wall exposure of forty (40) per-
cent, provisions for the removal of air may be reduced to two (2)
air changes or three-quarter (3/4) cubic feet per minute per square
foot of floor area, whichever is less. Removal of air from the
gymnasiums may be partially taken through the locker and shower
rooms, provided that this air is passed through a heating coil to
raise the temperature of the air to seventy-five (75) degrees F.
450.342 Kitchens: The kitchen areas shall be exhausted separately.
The lunchrooms may be partially exhausted not more than thirty-three
and one-third (33 1/3) percent through the kitchen exhaust system,
provided that the lunchroom air is taken by ducts from near the
floor level at the wall between the kitchen and lunchroom from the
lunchroom side, or through grills near the floor.
450.343 Coat room, wardrobe and locker ventilation: All coat
rooms shall be ventilated through proper ducts provided for this
purpose.
460.344 Classrooms may be vented through wardrobes installed in
4-46D
classrooms, provided they are mechanically exhausted,
460.345 Wardrobes shall be provided with permanent inlet open-
ings at or near the floor, equivalent to an opening four (4) inches
high and the full length of the wardrobe.
460.346 In classrooms which have individual, independent mechanical
exhausts or with the classroom exhaust grills located at the floor
of the wardrobes, the wardrobes shall be provided with top and
bottom openings.
460.347 Lockers installed in corridors, locker rooms or other
areas which are not mechanically ventilated shall have doors with
top and bottom openings or grills.
460.348 Chemistry, laboratories, welding shops and automotive
shops ventilation: Every chemistry room shall be provided with
one or more fume cabinets. In lieu thereof, metal vent hoods
shall be placed over each experiment table. Every welding booth
or work bench space shall be provided with a metal hood close to
the work. Every paint spray booth or rooms shall be provided with
a separate direct mechanical exhaust. Every automative shop shall
be provided a special gasoline fume exhaust to remove air from the
lowest part of the floor or pit, and if the floor is provided with
a floor drain, the exhaust shall be from the trap thereof.
If internal combustion engines are to be operated in the shops,
approved gravity or mechanical muffler connections for exhaust
of fumes direct to outside atmosphere shall be provided. All
hoods, cabinets and exhausts shall be connected through suitable
vent ducts to mechanical exhaust fans for removing the fumes and
gases. Where necessary, there shall be bottom vents to provide
a source of air. Proper shut-off dampers and manual controls
shall be provided.
These special vents and ducts shall be separated from and in
addition to the required classroom ventilation. In areas where
there may be noxious gases, one-half (1/2) the classroom exhausts
may be placed on the upper wall.
460.35 TOILET ROOM VENTILATION
460.351 VENTILATION THROUGH WALL OPENINGS: Each water compart-
ment or urinal shall be provided with a proper vent opening into
a duct leading to an exhaust fan or a heated flue, provided that
wall ventilation shall not be permitted for stall urinals. Each
vent opening shall be provided with a substantial "lock type"
register, the bottom of which shall be placed not less than twelve
(12) inches from the floor nor more than four (4) feet above the
floor.
As alternative to compartment ventilation, toilet rooms may be
provided with one (1) or more large substantial "lock type"
registers on the fixture wall, the bottom of which may be placed
4-46E
approximately at the top of the compartment partitions.
The exhaust fan shall have a capacity of sixty (60) cubic feet
of air per minute for each water closet compartment vent, and in
no case of less capacity than shall provide a change of air in the
toilet room eight (8) times an hour. If the total number of com-
partment vents connected to the duct leading to the exhaust fan
or heated 'flue, rated at sixty (60) cubic feet per minute each,
is not sufficient to accomplish an eight (8) minute air change in
the toilet room, an additional vent opening from the room into the
duct leading to the exhaust fan or heated flue shall be provided.
460.352 DIRECT FIXTURE VENTILATION: When the ventilation of toilet
rooms is effected through local vent openings on water closet and
urinal fixtures, the exhaust therefrom shall be by means of a
mechanical exhaust fan or fans. Each water closet so ventilated
shall have an integral raised vent of not less than eight (8)
square inches net area unobstructed by waterways or connections,
which shall be connected to the fan inlet through a tight sheet
metal duct having a minimum cross-sectional area of twenty (20)
square inches, and enlarging in size eight (8) square inches for
each fixture connected thereto.
Stall urinals shall be ventilated by not less than two (2) inch
inside diameter brass, copper or cast iron vent pipe beneath the
fixture and connecting to the duct, having not less than two (2)
inch tight connections to toilet room vent flues, or through a
vent not less than two (2) inches from beneath an integral hood at
top of the fixture. The ducts leading to the fan inlet shall be
proportioned as in the preceding paragraph.
The mechanical exhaust fan for fixture ventilation shall be
rigidly constructed and quiet in operation, with a capacity of
thirty-five (35) cubic feet of air per minute for each water
closet and urinal fixture, and in no case of less capacity than
will provide a change of air in toilet rooms of six (6) times an
hour. If the total number of fixture vents connected to the duct
leading to the fan rated thirty-five (35) cubic feet of air per
minute for each fixture is not sufficient to accomplish a ten
(10) minute air change in the toilet room, an additional vent
opening from the room into the duct leading to the fan shall be
provided.
The vent duct shall have a minimum cross-sectional area of
fifty (50) square inches, and shall increase in area forty-two
(42) square inches for each compartment vent connected thereto.
This shall apply to heat-activated gravity systems only.
460.353 Ventilation shall not be directly into a "utility space,"
so called, but the duct to which the vents shall be connected
may be run in such space.
460.354 Individual toilet rooms may be ventilated at the ceilings.
E-46F
460.355 TOILET ROOM VENT DUCTS: The ducts connecting the local
vents from water closets, urinals, and compartments shall pitch
up sharply from the fixtures and outlets to the toilet room vent-
flue or fan inlet with a minimum rise of one (1) inch to each
foot of run.
460.356 SEPARATION OF TOILET ROOM VENTILATION: All toilet room
ventilation systems shall be distinct and apart from all other
ventilation.
460.357 VENTILATING EQUIPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION DUCTS: The mechan-
ical ventilation systems, equipment, and distributing ducts shall
be installed in accordance with the provisions of articles 11 and
18.
460.36 EXISTING SCHOOLHOUSE BUILDINGS
460.361 UNSAFE CONDITIONS: In all existing rooms or spaces in
which the provisions for light and ventilation do not meet the
requirements of this Code and which in the opinion of the building
official are dangerous to the health and safety of the occupants,
he shall order the required repairs or installation to render the
building or structure in compliance with this Code.
460.362 ALTERATIONS: No schoolhouse building shall hereafter be
altered or rearranged so as to reduce either the size of a room or
the fresh air supply or the amount of available natural light to
less than that required for buildings hereafter erected; or to
create an additional room unless made to conform to the require-
ments of this Code. The building official may permit new rooms
to be of the same height as existing rooms in the same story
unless in his opinion greater provision of artificial light and
ventilation is deemed necessary to insure healthful living
conditions.
460.4 INTERCOMMUNICATING FLOOR LEVELS
Where necessary for the functional design of the building, any
structure other than one classified in occupancy group H-2, may
be permitted to have a maximum of three (3) communicating floor
levels without enclosure or protection between such areas, pro-
vided that there is compliance with all of the conditions pre-
scribed within this section and subject to the approval of the
building official. The entire area, including all communicating
floor levels, shall be sufficiently open and unobstructed so that
it may be reasonably assumed that the occupants of this area will
be aware that a fire or other dangerous condition exists. The
combined areas of the intercommunicating floor levels shall not
exceed thirty thousand (30,000) square feet.
460.41 ARRANGEMENT: The arrangement of any intercommunicating
floor levels shall comply with the requirements of Table 2-6.
460.42 GRADE: The lowest or next to the lowest level is a level
A-46G
accessible from the street, or from outside the building at grade,
with floor level at main entrance not more than twenty-one (21)
inches above nor more than twelve (12) inches below grade at said
main entrance.
460.43 EXITWAYS: Exitway capacity shall be sufficient to provide
simultaneously for all the occupants of all communicating levels
and areas. All communicating levels in the same fire area shall
be considered as a single floor area for purposes of determination
of required exitway capacity. Each floor level, considered separ-
ately, shall have at least one-half (1/2) of its required exitway
capcity provided by exitways leading directly out of that area
without traversing another communicating floor level or being ex-
posed to the spread of fire or smoke therefrom.
460.44 ENCLOSING WALLS: The enclosing walls of the space created
by the communicating floor levels shall have a f ireresistive
rating of not less than that required for interior exitway stair-
ways as specified in section 618, with approved fire doors or
windows provided in openings therein, all so designed and installed
as to provide a complete barrier to the spread of fire or smoke
through such openings.
406.5 MEANS OF EGRESS: For all areas, spaces or rooms with an
occupancy load of ten (10) or more persons used for instructional
or assembly purposes there shall be at least two independent means
of egress leading to separate exits remote from each other, so
arranged that to reach one it will not be necessary to pass through
a common corridor or space. For the purpose of this section, a
smoke screen barrier shall be construed as effectively dividing a
corridor or space into independent areas.
460.51 DEAD END CORRIDORS: The maximum length of travel of a
dead end corridor for classroom buildings shall be thirty (30)
feet with no more than one (1) classroom on each side of the
corridor.
460.52 AISLE AND CORRIDOR WIDTHS: Aisle and corridor widths shall
be as provided for in section 610.3 with the following minimum
total widths:
460.521 Corridors with classrooms on both sides shall have a
clear width of seventy-two (72) inches for four (4) and five (5)
classrooms; eighty-four (84) inches for six (6) and seven (7)
classrooms; and ninety-six (96) inches for eight (8) or more
classrooms.
460.522 Corridors with classrooms on one (1) side shall have a
minimum clear width of seventy-two (72) inches.
460.523 Corridors not over thirty (30) feet in length leading to
no more than two (2) shops or non-classroom spaces, averaging not
more than twenty-five (25) persons per room may be four (4) feet
wide.
4-46H
460.524 Corridors of the lobby type serving as assembly areas
in connection with cafeterias shall have a minimum clear width
of ten (10) feet.
460.525 Corridors providing side exits shall be a minimum clear
width of four (4) feet to a minimum three (3) foot six (6) inch
door, properly marked with exit signs in the main corridor.
460.526 With lockers or coat-hanging spaces along one (1) wall
of the above corridors add twelve (12) inches to the minimum
clear width; along both walls, add twenty-four (24) inches to
the minimum clear width.
460.53 AISLE: When fixed seating is used, the aisle in classrooms
shall be not less than the following widths:
All clear aisles 1 foot 5 inches
Wall aisles next to window 3 feet
Other wall aisles 2 feet 6 inches
460.54 REQUIRED MEANS OF EGRESS DOORWAYS
460.541 Doors to shops having not more than thirty (30) pupils
and doors to rooms formed by two (2) classrooms connected with a
folding partition may swing in.
460.542 All classroom doors may swing in either direction, pro-
viding those swinging into a corridor are recessed and will protrude
not more than five (5) inches into the corridor when fully open.
460.543 CLASSROOM GRADE EXIT DOORS: A five (5) inch step is per-
mitted where a classroom door opens to the outside, and where a
designated exit is not protected from the weather; otherwise,
the outside platform shall be approximately at floor level.
460.55 STAIRWAYS
460.551 VERTICAL RISE: The height of vertical rise shall not
exceed nine (9) feet between landings and intermediate platforms
460.552 MINIMUM DIMENSIONS: In addition to the provisions of
section 616.4, treads and risers of required stairs shall be so
proportioned that the sum of two (2) risers and a tread, exclusive
of projection of nosing, is not less than twenty-four (24) inches
nor more than twenty-five (25) inches. The height of risers shall
not exceed seven and one-half (7 1/2) inches, and treads, exclusive
of nosing, shall be not less than ten (10) inches wide. Every
tread less than eleven (11) inches wide shall have a nosing, or
effective projection, of approximately one (1) inch over the level
immediately below that tread. The height of the riser shall not
exceed six and one-half (6 1/2) inches and the width of the tread
shall not be less than twelve (12) inches for all exterior entrance
stairways.
4-461
460.553 SUPPLEMENTAL STAIRWAYS: Monumental stairs, either inside
or outside, may be accepted as required exits if all requirements
for exit stairs are complied with, including required enclosures
and minimum width of tread, except that curved stairs may be
accepted with a radius of twenty- five (25) feet or more at the
inner edges.
460.56 EXin\rAY SIGNS AND LIGHTS: Exitway signs and lights shall
conform to the requirements of section 623 except for existing
schoolhouses having means of egress signs reading "EXIT" in red
letters at least five (5) inches high on a white background or
in other approved distinguishable colors, illuminated by an
electric light of not less than twenty-five (25) watts, visible
from the exit approach and supplemented by directional signs in
the access corridors indicating the direction and ways of egress.
Such signs may be internally illuminated with an enclosing
noncombustible case through ruby glass- The letters of internally
illuminated signs shall not be less than four and one-half (4 1/2)
inches high.
460.57 MEANS OF EGRESS LIGHTING
460.571 In auditoriums, multi-purpose rooms and gymnasiums, where
used for assembly purposes, provisions shall be made for control
of general artificial illumination from the rear of the room, the
projection room (if any) and the probable location of a projector.
460.572 EMERGENCY LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: Emergency lighting
shall be provided for all exits, corridors, passages and stairways.
In addition, emergency lighting shall be required in all gym-
nasiums, auditoriums, multi-purpose rooms, and rooms without
natural lighting. Rooms less than four hundred (400) square feet
of floor area without natural lighting used as service or storage
areas will not require emergency lighting. Emergency lighting
shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of sections
624.4 and 624.41.
460.6 FIRERESISTIVE PARTITIONS
460.61 EXCEPTION: Fireproof Construction - In all buildings and
structures of other than schoolhouse institutional (use group H)
of fireproof (type 1), or of protected noncombustible (type 2)
construction, space and office dividers, not including partitions,
of a single thickness of wood or approved composite panels, and
glass or other approved materials of similar combustible charac-
teristics, may be used to subdivide rooms and spaces, provided
they do not establish a public corridor or a private corridor
serving an occupant load of fifty (50) or more and not exceeding
ten thousand (10,000) square feet between fireresistive or fire
partitions, fire walls and fireresistive floors. Larger areas
may be subdivided with fireretardant wood or with materials of
similar combustible characteristics when complying with section
903.72, but not to exceed fifty (50) percent increase in area.
460.62 LATCHES AKD ASTRAGALS: Latches and astragals for Class C
doors in path of egress may be omitted in use Group F-3 and F-4
occupancies if required to be self-closing. Frames shall be of
steel or metal-covered wood of label construction. Doors shall
be steel, metal-covered core and of label construction.
460.63 FIRE DOORS
460.631 SPECIAL SITUATIONS: Shop and chemistry laboratory doors
shall be Class C doors.
460.632 GLASS PANELS: Wired glass panels shall be permitted in
fire doors within the limitations of section 919 and as herein
specifically prescribed,
460.633 Smoke barriers or screens shall consist of noncombustible
partitions containing or not containing wire glass panels and/or
smoke stop doors conforming to the following: Smoke stop doors
shall be self-closing, swinging doors of metal, metal-covered,
aluminum, or one and three-quarter (1 3/4) inch solid core wood
with clear wire glass panels having an area of at least six
hundred (600) square inches per door; except that in buildings not
over two (2) stories high, smoke stop doors may be of one and
three-eighths (1 3/8) inch solid core wood with clear wire glass
panels, unless the doors are also used as horizontal exits in
which case they shall comply with the provisions of section 917.21
for Class B or Class C doors as the exitway may require. Smoke
stop doors shall close the opening completely with only such
clearance as is reasonably necessary for proper operation. Smoke
stop doors shall normally be in the closed position, except that
they may be left open if they are arranged to close automatically
by an approved device meeting the requirements of section 612.44.
460.634 WIRED GLASS: For schoolhouses, the maximum dimension of
twelve (12) inches in section 919.2, the maximtrai twelve (12) inch
height for Class B door in section 919.4, and the size limitation
of section 919.5 shall not apply.
4-46K
Reference Standards - Article A
ANSI PH22.31
APHA
Mass-DPS FPR 2
Mass-DPS FPR 4
Mass-DPS FPR 5
Mass-DPS
Mass-DPS FPR 6
Mass-DPS FPR 13
Mass-DPH Article VI
NFPA Vol. 1
NFPA 24
NFPA 30
NFPA 32
NFPA 33
NFPA
34
NFPA 40
NFPA 42
NFPA
43
Mass-DPS PHR-1
1967 Motion Picture Safety Film
1957 Swlnnnlng Pools and other Public Bathing
Places, Recommended Practice for Design,
Equipment and Operation
1963 Dry-Cleaning and Dry-Dyeing, and the
Keeping, Storage and Use of Cleaning
and Dyeing Fluid in Connection Therewith
1968 Construction and Maintenance of Buildings
or Other Structures Used as Garages and
the Related Storage, Keeping and Use of
Gasoline
1962 Construction, Location, Installation and
Operation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Systems, Gas Piping and Appliance Instal-
lations in Buildings
Board of Boiler Rules
1948 Manufacturing and Handling of Plastics
1965 Keeping, Storage, Manufacture or Sale in
Limited Quantities of Flammable Fluids,
Solids, or Gases
1969 Minimum Standards for Swimming Pools
1969-70 Flammable Liquids
1973 Outside Protection (Yard Piping)
1973 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
1972 Dry Cleaning Plants
1973 Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Com-
bustible Materials
1966 Dip Tanks Containing Flammable or Com-
bustible Liquids
1967 Cellulose Nitrate Motion Picture Film
1967 Pyroxylin Plastic in Factories, Storage,
Handling and Use
1967 Pyroxylin Plastic in Warehouses, Wholesale
and Retail Store
Rules and Regulations of the Board to
Facilitate the Use of Public Buildings
by the Physically Handicapped
4-47
NFPA
NFPA
NFPA
NFPA
NFPA
NFPA
58
59
60
61A
61B
61C
Reference Standards - Article 4
1972
1968
1973
1962
1959
1962
Liquefied Petroleum Gases, Storage and
Handling
Liquefied Petroleum Gases at Utility Gas
Plants
Pulverized Fuel Systems, Installation and
Operation of
Starch Factories, Prevention of Dust
Explosions in
Terminal Elevators, Prevention of Dust
Explosions
Flour and Feed Mills, Allied Grain Storage
Elevators, Prevention of Dust Explosions
Industrial Plants, Fundamental Principles
for Prevention of Dust Explosions in
Country Grain Elevators, Prevention of
Dust Ignitions in
Explosion Venting Guide
Garages
Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
Life Safety Code
NFPA 102 1972 Tents and Grandstands and Air-Supported
Structures Used for Places of Assembly
Smoke and Heat Venting Guide
Underground Flammable and Combustible Liquid
Tanks , Leakage From
Dust Explosion Prevention in Plastic Industry
Spice Grinding Plants, Prevention of Dust
Ignitions in
NFPA 657 1967 Confectionery Manufacturing Plants, Pre-
vention of Dust Explosions in
NFPA 701 1969 Flameresistant Textiles and Films, Standard
Method of Tests for
NFPA
63
1971
NFPA
64
1959
NFPA
68
1954
NFPA
88
1968
NFPA
90A
1973
NFPA
101
1967,1971
1973
NFPA
204
1968
NFPA
329
1965
NFPA
654
1963
NFPA
656
1959
4-48
ARTICLE 5
LIGHT AND VENTILATION
SECTION 500.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall govern the means of light and
ventilation required in all habitable and occupiable spaces and rooms.
Every building and structure hereafter erected and every building,
room or space which is changed in use shall be constructed, arranged
and equipped to conform to the requirements of this article and the
applicable standards listed in the reference section of this article.
500.1 OTHER REGULATIONS: Nothing in this article shall be construed
to nullify the provisions of the local zoning by-laws or ordinances
or subdivision controls promulgated under authority of Chapter 41, or
Chapter 40A respectively of the Massachusetts General Laws Annotated
as amended.
500.2 OTHER STANDARDS: Compliance with the applicable provisions of
the standards listed in the reference section of this article shall be
deemed to meet the requirements of this article, unless otherwise spe-
cifically provided herein.
SECTION 501.0 DEFINITIONS
COURT: an open, uncovered unoccupied space partially or wholly sur-
rounded by the walls of a structure.
-ENCLOSED OR INNER: a court surrounded on all sides by the exterior
walls of a structure or by such walls and an interior lot line.
-OUTER COURT: a court having at least one side thereof opening on
to a street, alley, or yard or other permanent open space.
HABITABLE ROOM: a room or enclosed floor space arranged for living,
eating, and sleeping purposes (not including bathrooms, water
closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers, hallways and
other accessory floor spaces) .
HABITABLE ROOM, MINIMUM HEIGHT: a clear height from finished floor
to finished ceiling of not less than seven and one-half (7^5) feet,
except that in attics and top half-stories the height shall be not
less than seven and one-third (7-1/3) feet over not less than one-
third (1/3) the area of the floor when used for sleeping, study or
similar activity.
HABITABLE ROOM, MINIMUM SIZE: a room with a minimum dimension of
seven (7) feet and a minimum area of seventy (70) square feet,
between enclosing walls or partitions, exclusive of closet and
storage spaces.
5-1
OCCUPIABLE ROOM: a room or enclosed space designed for human occu-
pancy in which large numbers of individuals congregate for amuse-
ment, educational, or similar purposes or in which occupants are
engaged at labor; and which is equipped with means of egress, light,
and ventilation facilities meeting the requirements of the Basic
Code.
VENTILATION. (See section 1801.0.)
WIDTH.
-INNER COURT: as applied to an inner court, means its least hori-
zontal dimension.
-OUTER COURT: as applied to an outer court, means the shortest
horizontal dimension measured in a direction substantially par-
allel with the principal open end of such court.
YARD: an open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building ex-
tending along the entire length of a street, or rear, or interior
lot line.
SECTION 502.0 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Plans for all buildings and structures other than one and two-family
and multi-family dwellings, which are designed for human occupancy shall
designate the number of occupants to be accommodated in the various
rooms and spaces and when means of artificial lighting and ventilation
are required, the application shall include sufficient details and
description of the mechanical system to be installed as herein required
or as specified in article 18.
SECTION 503.0 STANDARDS OF NATURAL LIGHT
In the application of the provisions of this article, the standard of
natural light for all habitable rooms, unless otherwise specifically
required by the provisions of article 4 for special uses and occupancies,
shall be based on two hundred and fifty (250) foot candles of illumination
on the vertical plane adjacent to the exterior of the light transmitting
device in the enclosure wall and shall be adequate to provide an average
illumination of six (6) foot candles over the area of the room at a
height of thirty (30) inches above the floor level.
503.1 WINDOW AND SKYLIGHTS: All habitable rooms or spaces shall contain
windows, skylights, monitors, glazed doors, transoms, glass block panels
or other light transmitting media opening to the sky or on a public
street, yard or court complying with the provisions of this article.
The light transmitting properties and the area of the devices used shall
be adequate to meet the minimum daylighting requirements specified
herein.
5-2
503.2 WINDOW SIZE: Windows and exterior doors may be used as a
natural means of light and when so used their aggregate glass area
shall amount to not less than one-tenth (1/10) of the floor area
served.
503.3 INTENSITY OF ILLUMINATION: In all required exitways, except
in one and two-family dwellings, and wherever natural lighting is
not available, artificial lighting shall be provided to furnish
not less than three (3) foot candles at the floor level of all re-
quired exitways.
503. A STAIRWAYS AND EXITWAYS IN RESIDENTIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS
503. Al WINDOWS: In all multi-family dwellings (use group L-2) and
in institutional buildings for the care or treatment of people (use
group H-2) required interior stairways shall be provided with win-
dows to the outer air having a glass area of not less than ten (10)
square feet which opens on a required street, alley, yard or court,
or with the equivalent source of light for each story through which
the stairway passes; and such additional artificial lighting to pro-
vide the equivalent illumination at all times that the building is
occupied as specified in section 62A.0.
503. A2 SKYLIGHTS: When the building is not more than three (3)
stories in height, a ventilating skylight of the required area may
be used in lieu of windows.
503. A3 HALLWAYS: Hallways shall have at least one window opening
directly on a street or on a required yard or court in each story,
located so that light penetrates the full length of the hallway,
with additional windows for each change of direction of the hallway;
or the equivalent artificial lighting shall be provided. Every re-
cess or return with a depth or length which exceeds twice the width
of the hall, and every corridor separately shut off by a door, shall
be treated as a separate hall in applying the provisions of this
section.
SECTION 50A.0 STANDARDS OF NATURAL VENTILATION
Natural Ventilation shall be from unobstructed windows, skylights,
monitors, doors, louvres, jalousies, or other similar openings. Such
openings shall be direct to the sky, public street, space, alley, park,
highway or right of way, or upon a yard, court plaza, or space above
a setback located on the same lot and which complies with the require-
ments of Section 512.
50A.1 AREA OF NATURAL VENTILATING OPENINGS: Natural ventilating
openings from habitable spaces shall have a free area when open of
at least 5 percent of the floor area of the space ventilated. The
5-3
occuplable spaces, the free openable area shall be the basis to de-
termine the minimum requirements for supplementary mechanical venti-
lation. Free openable area Is the cross-sectional area at plane of
greatest restriction to air flow, exclusive of screening.
504.2 VENTING OF SPECIAL SPACES
504.21 ALCOVE ROOMS: When alcove rooms open without obstruction Into
adjoining rooms, the required window openings to the outer air shall
be based on the combined floor area of room and alcove. No such al-
cove space shall be more than sixty (60) square feet In area and the
opening to the adjoining room shall be not less than eighty (80) per
cent of the superficial area of the dividing wall, unless provided
with separate means of light and ventilation.
504.22 ATTIC SPACES: All attic spaces and spaces between roofs and
top floor ceilings shall be ventilated by not less than two (2) op-
posite windows, louvres, or vents with a total clear area of opening
not less than one-third (1/3) of one (1) per cent of the horizontally
projected roof area.
504.23 CRAWL SPACES: In buildings and structures constructed with-
out basements. In which the first floor construction does not bear
directly on the ground, a space shall be provided under the first floor
not less than eighteen (18) Inches In depth; and such space shall be
vented with screened openings having a clear area of not less than
one-third (1/3) of one (1) per cent of the enclosed building area,
or shall be provided with other means of ventilation approved by the
building official. When floating mat foundations are provided In
accordance with section 734.0, the requirement for ventilation
shall not apply.
SECTION 505.0 VENTILATION OF INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS FOR FORCED
DETENTION
In buildings of the Institutional use group used for enforced deten-
tion, all rooms shall comply with the requirements of this article for
light and ventilation. However, where necessary, alternate means of
complying with these provisions may be approved, providing that It can
be shown that they fulfill all the requirements of these provisions
for light and ventilation as applicable.
SECTION 506.0 EXISTING BUILDINGS
506.1 UNSAFE CONDITION: In all existing rooms or spaces In which the
provisions for light and ventilation do not meet the requirements of
this article and which in the opinion of the building official are
dangerous to the health and safety of the occupants, he shall order
the required repairs or installations to render the building or struc-
ture livable for the posted use and occupancy load.
5-4
506.2 ALTERATIONS: No building shall hereafter be altered or rear-
ranged so as to reduce either the size of a room, or the fresh air
supply, or the amount of available natural light to less than that
required for buildings hereafter erected; or to create an additional
room unless made to conform to the requirements of section 503. The
building official may permit new rooms to be of the same height as
existing rooms in the same story unless in his opinion greater provision
of artificial light and ventilation is deemed necessary to insure
healthful living conditions.
506.3 UNCOVERED YARD AND COURT AREA: No building shall be hereafter
enlarged, nor shall the lot on which it is located be diminished so
as to decrease the required courts or yards to less than that prescribed
in this article for the lighting and ventilation of new buildings.
SECTION 507.0 STANDARDS OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
507.1 ARTIFICIAL LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Adequate means for providing ar-
tificial light shall be provided in every occupiable space in every
building hereafter erected and in the portions of existing buildings
where alterations are performed.
507.2 MEANS OF EGRESS: Means of egress lighting shall comply with the
requirements of article 6.
507.3 PLACES OF ASSEMBLY: Artificial lighting shall be provided as
required in articles 4 and 6.
507.4 BATHROOMS AND TOILET ROOMS: Artificial lighting of bathroone
and toilet rooms shall be provided to produce an average of three (3)
foot candles thirty (30) inches above the floor.
SECTION 508.0 STANDARDS OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION
508.1 AREAS REQUIRING MECHANICAL VENTILATION: Mechanical ventilation
shall be provided in all occupiable rooms or spaces where the require-
ments for natural ventilation are not met; in all rooms or spaces,
which because of the nature of their use or occupancy, involve the
presence of dust, fumes, gases, vapors, or other noxious or injurious
impurities, or substances which create a fire hazard; or where required
by the provisions of section 509.0 or articles 4 and 6.
508.2 OUTSIDE AIR: Where mechanical ventilation is required the mini-
mum amount of outside air introduced into any room or enclosed space
shall be at least equal to the amount required by Figure 5-1.
5-5
508.21 FIGURE 5-1 MINIMUM OUTSIDE AIR REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION
AND AIR CONDITIONING
700
600
-'
V
1
1
1
1
1
-
\
-
'
, \
V
-
-
\
\
-
-
\
\
X
-
-
\
^
^A
~l
1
1
1
1
1
r
500
400
300
200
100
4 8 12 16 20 24 28
Minimum Outside Air, Cu. Ft. Per Person Per Min.
508.22 CURVE A - VENTILATION ONLY: The values obtained from Curve
A in Figure 5-1 represent the minimum volume of outside air required
for adults quietly occupied. Where the space has mechanical cooling,
the values of Curve A represent the minimum amount of air to be cir-
culated .
a) Values of Curve A shall be increased by twenty-five (25) per
cent for areas in which the occupancies contain or involve:
1) Grade school children
2) Light smoking
3) Food Service
4) Other occupancies involving
air contamination
b) Values of Curve A shall be increased fifty (50) per cent for
areas in which the occupancies contain or involve :
1) Manual labor
2) Sports
3) Dancing
4) Heavy smoking
5) Other occupancies involving heavy
air contamination
c) Values of Curve A shall be increased by an appropriate amount
to remove excess heat or moisture generated by equipment in
the occupied area.
5-6
508.23 CURVE B - MECHANICAL COOLING: The values obtained from
Curve B in Figure 5-1 represent the minimum volume of outdoor air
required for adults quietly occupied where adequate control is
maintained over temperature and humidity and where odor removal
apparatus is used if smoking is permitted in the occupied area.
a) Where only part of the above-mentioned controls are
maintained, the values of Curve B must be increased
in accordance with good engineering design and subject
to the approval of the building official.
508.3 MEANS OF EXHAUST: Exhaust may be accomplished by:
a) Forcing leakage through openings communicating directly to
the outdoor air.
b) By drawing the vitiated air from spaces into the return
duct of the system apparatus. When exhaust is to a return
duct, the system apparatus shall be equipped to mix outdoor
and return air under conditions which assure that the mini-
mum amount of outdoor air will never be less than the sum
of the minimum outdoor air ventilation requirements of all
the spaces served by that system.
c) By drawing air into a fan-powered exhaust system discharging
directly to the outdoor air.
508.4 MAKE-UP AIR: Sufficient air to replace the exhaust quantity
shall be admitted to spaces which are under forcible exhaust by one
or by any combination of the following methods:
a) If permitted by this Code, by infiltration through louvres,
registers, or other permanent openings in walls, doors, or
partitions of adjoining spaces where air is supplied in
sufficient excess to meet the requirements of both spaces.
b) By infiltration through natural ventilation openings when the
heating system is properly designed to permit such infiltra-
tion without causing drafts objectionable to the occupants,
c) By other methods acceptable to the building official, and in
conformance with good engineering practice.
d) If permitted by this Code, exhaust may be accomplished by
forcing leakage through permanent openings to adjoining spaces
from which air is removed by method (c) above, provided the
total amount of ventilation of both spaces is not reduced to
less than the amounts required by Figure 5-1 and provided the
space is not of the type from which recirculation of air is
prohibited.
5-7
508.5 RECIRCULATION: Portions of the fresh air supply required in
this section may consist of recirculated air as stated herein, sub-
ject to the prohibited use requirements of section 508.51 and the
allowance for adsorption devices of section 508.6.
508.51 PROHIBITED USE OF RECIRCULATED AIR: The use of the air from
Kitchens, Lavatories, Toilet Rooms, Bathrooms, Rest Rooms, Laboratories
and Garages for recirculation shall be prohibited.
508.52 HABITABLE ROOMS: Recirculation of up to seventy-five (75)
percent of the air supplied may be permitted in habitable rooms except
kitchens, provided the air recirculated does not come from a plenum or
system fed with air returned from habitable rooms in other dwelling
units, or from stairways or common hallways. Recirculation of one-
hundred (100) percent of the air supplied may be permitted if the sys-
tem supplied only a single dwelling unit.
508.53 WORK ROOMS: Recirculation of not more than seventy-five (75)
percent of the air supplied may be permitted in work rooms, provided
the air is free from harmful dusts, fumes, vapors, mists, or gases.
NOTE: Recirculation of air removed by local exhaust systems is pro-
hibited unless the contaminant is removed by an approved method to a
safe limit of concentration. The amount of air supplied to replace
all air exhausted by local exhaust ventilation systems shall be con-
sidered as fresh air in the calculation of the requirements in section
505.31 and 505.32 provided that the air supplied is free from contami-
nation and is from an approved source. This provision also applies to
cold air douches used in hot industries.
508.54 RESTAURANTS AND DINING HALLS: Not more than fifty (50) percent
of the air supplied to restaurants and dining halls shall be recirculated.
508.55 OFFICES AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING: Not more than
seventy-five (75) percent of the air supplied to offices and public
and institutional buildings shall be recirculated.
508.56 HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES: Hospitals and Medical
Care Facilities may employ recirculated air in compliance with the
approved methods and systems of the reference section of this article.
508.6 USE OF ADSORPTION DEVICES: If recirculation of air is permitted,
the required outdoor air supply may be reduced to to fifty (50) percent,
provided that an equivalent quantity of the recirculated air is passed
through approved adsorption devices. The adsorption material, the
material quantity and the means provided for maintaining the effective-
ness of the absorption devices shall be acceptable to the building
official and in conformance with good engineering practice.
5-8
a) Improper maintenance - Should absorption devices be improperly
maintained in the opinion of the building official, he may
order their removal. If the adsorption devices are removed,
the ventilating system shall not be operated unless it will
supply 100 percent of the outdoor air required by this section
or section 508.0.
b) Test records - The building owner shall continuously maintain
a record showing the manufacturer's recommendation for fre-
quency of tests, the method of making tests, and the results
of periodic tests of the adsorption devices. Such tests shall
be made and certified by an approved agency at least twice
every six months. The records of such tests shall be maintain-
ed for a period of at least two years, and shall be available
for inspection by the building official.
SECTION 509.0 VENTILATION OF SPECIAL SPACES
509.1 KITCHENS: Kitchens shall be ventilated as follows:
a) Kitchens located within dwelling units and having a floor area
of greater than seventy (70) square feet shall have natural
ventilation as prescribed in section 504.0. When the floor
area is seventy (70) square feet or less the kitchen shall be
ventilated by either of the following:
1) Natural means complying with section 504.0.
2) Mechanical means exhausting at least two (2) cfm
of air per square foot of floor area.
b) Kitchens, except those located within dwelling units, and any
spaces where cooking of any kind is done, shall be ventilated
by either of the following:
1) Natural means complying with section 504.0 or
mechanically air-cooled means complying with
Figure 5-1 Section 508.21 and supplemented with
auxiliary mechanical supply and exhaust ventila-
tion adequate to remove the fumes and smoke from
the cooking equipment when operating, in accor-
dance with the provisions of article 18.
2) Non-air-cooled mechanical means exhausting at
least three (3) cfm of air per square foot of
floor area, but in no case less than one-hundred
and fifty (150) cfm.
5-9
c) Kitchens, snack bars, or pantries, where the operation consists
of heating or warming previously prepared food that was cooked
elsewhere, or where food is prepared in vending machines, may
be ventilated by either or a combination of the following:
1) Natural ventilation complying with section 504.0.
2) Mechanical ventilation complying with section 508.0.
d) Air shall be exhausted through ducts or chimneys constructed
in accordance with the provisions of articles 10, 11 and 18.
e) Make-up air shall be provided by one of the methods described
in section 508.4.
509.2 BATHROOMS AND TOILET ROOMS: Bathrooms and toilet rooms shall
be ventilated as follows:
a) When ventilated by natural means, the natural ventilation open-
ings shall comply with section 504.0 except:
1) In no case shall the net free area of the ventilation
openings be less than one and one-half (1%) square feet.
2) In occupancy groups H-1 and H-2, the ventilation open-
ings may be to a vent shaft provided that the net free
area of the opening is not less than three (3) square
feet. The vent shaft cross-sectional area shall be
equal to the sum of the required minimum ventilation
openings plus one-fifth (1/5) square foot for every
foot of height but not less than nine (9) square feet
and open to the outer air at the top; or, the vent
shaft may be open at the sides above the roof with
louvres providing net free area equal to the area of
the shaft.
b) By individual vent shafts or ducts constructed of non-combustible
materials with a minimum cross-sectional area of one (1) square
foot plus one-third (1/3) square foot for each additional water
closet or urinal above two in number. The upper termination of
such ducts shall be equipped with a wind actuated ventilator cap
with throat area equal to the duct area.
c) When a bathroom or toilet room is not ventilated by a natural
ventilation as required by this section, it shall be mechanically
ventilated as follows:
1) Rooms containing only one water closet or urinal shall
be mechanically ventilated by an exhaust system capable
of exhausting at least forty (40) cfm.
5-10
2) Rooms containing more than one water closet or
urinal, and any auxiliary spaces such as those
used in hand basins, slop sinks, and locker rooms,
shall be mechanically ventilated by an independent
exhaust system capable of exhausting at least forty
(40) cubic feet of air per minute per water closet
or urinal. The outdoor air supply shall conform
to the requirements of section 508.0.
3) Toilet exhaust systems shall be arranged to expel
air directly to the outdoors.
d) Make-up air shall be provided by one of the methods described
in section 508.4.
509.3 INSIDE LOCKER ROOMS: Inside locker rooms and dressing rooms
for more than one person shall be ventilated at a rate of four changes
of air per hour or as required by Section 508.22, whichever is greater.
509.4 CORRIDORS: Corridors shall have ventilation provisions to
supply outdoor air in conformance to whichever of the following is
greater:
a) For make-up of air exhausted to adjoining spaces. Provisions
for make-up air supply shall conform to Section 508.4.
b) Natural sources complying with Section 504.0 to provide venti-
lating openings equivalent to at least two and one-half (2h)
percent of the floor area.
c) In occupancy groups H-1 , H-2 and L-2, mechanical supply of at
least one-half (h) cubic foot of outdoor air per minute per
square foot of floor area.
SECTION 510.0 VENTILATION OF SHAFTS OTHER THAN ELEVATOR AND
DUMBWAITER HOISTWAYS
All enclosed vertical shafts extending through more than two (2)
stories of every building or structure, except elevator or dumbwaiter
hoistways, shall be automatically vented to the outer air as herein
required or as specified in section 911.0.
510.1 EXTENDING TO ROOF: Shaft enclosures extending to the roof shall
be provided with a metal skylight constructed to comply with section
927.2 or with windows of equivalent area or with other approved
automatic means of removing hot air and gases.
510.2 THERMOSTATIC CONTROL: The automatic operation of fire shutters,
skylights and other vent relief devices may be controlled by fusible
links designed to operate at a fixed temperature of not more than one
hundred and sixty (160) degrees F., or by electric or pneumatic opera-
tion under a rapid rise in temperature at a rate of fifteen (15) to
twenty (20) degrees F. per minute or by other approved methods.
5-11
510.3 NOT EXTENDING TO ROOF: Shaft enclosures not extending to the
roof shall be provided with gas and smoke relief vents or adequate
mechanical means of ventilation in conformity to the provisions of
section 911.4 and article 18.
SECTION 511.0 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WITH UNPIERCED ENCLOSURE WALLS
511.1 AIR CONDITIONING: When light and ventilation yards, courts or
other required open spaces are not provided as herein specified, build-
ings may be erected for industrial and commercial uses within the height
and area limitations of article 3 and table 2-6 when such buildings and
structures are equipped with approved artificial lighting, ventilating
and air conditioning systems furnishing the equivalent light and venti-
lation. The installation of all such systems shall comply with the pro-
visions of article 18.
511.2 FIRE PROTECTION: Buildings and structures without exterior win-
dow openings in all stories which are provided with approved mechanical
ventilating and air conditioning systems shall be equipped with the fire
protection and fire-extinguishing media herein prescribed complying with
the requirements of article 12;
511.21 ACCESS PANELS: Fire Access Panels of the required size and
location shall be installed in the enclosure walls as specified in
section 858.0.
511.22 FIRE ALARMS: Interior Fire Alarm signal systems shall be pro-
vided and maintained as specified in article 12;
511.23 SPRINKLERS: Two-Source Automatic Sprinkler systems with super-
visory service and fire department connections shall be installed to
comply with article 12;
511.24 FIRE-VENTING: The building or structure shall be fire-vented
as prescribed in section 514.
SECTION 512.0 COURTS
All courts required to serve rooms for light and ventilation purposes
shall comply with the requirements of this section.
512.1 WIDTH OF COURT.
512.11 MINIMUM WIDTH: Every such court shall have a minimum width of
three (3) inches for each foot of height or fraction thereof but not
less than five (5) feet for outer courts and twice these values for
inner courts.
5-12
512.12 IRREGULAR COURT WIDTH: In the case of irregular or gore-
shaped courts, the required mini muni width of court may be deemed to
be the average width, provided that no such court shall be less than
five (5) feet at any point.
512.2 AREA OF COURT: The cross-sectional area of a required court
shall be not less than one and one-half (1^) times the square of its
width; nor shall the length of any court be more than twice its width.
512.3 ACCESS TO COURT: A door or other means of access shall be
provided at the bottom of every court that is not otherwise conve-
niently accessible for purposes of cleaning.
512.4 AIR INTAKES TO COURT.
512.41 INNER COURT: Every court serving one or more habitable rooms
that does not open for its full height on one or more sides to a street
or legal yard shall be connected at or near the bottom with a street or
yard by a horizontal intake or passage of f ireresistive construction.
Such intake or passage shall have a cross-sectional area of not less
than twenty-one (21) square feet, and shall remain fully open at both
ends and unobstructed for its full size and length, except that grilles
of noncombustible construction complying with the approved rules may
be permitted at the ends of the intake.
512.42 FIRERESISTANCE: The walls, floors and ceiling of such intakes
or passages shall have a f ireresistance rating of not less than two (2)
hours in buildings of types 1, 2 or 3 construction and not less than
three-quarter (3/4) hour in type 4 construction.
512.5 COURT WALLS: When in the opinion of the building official,
windows facing on courts do not receive adequate direct light by rea-
son of peculiar arrangement or orientation, he may require the walls
to be constructed of light colored masonry, or to be painted and main-
tained a light color to furnish additional reflected light.
512.6 COURT DRAINAGE: The bottom of every court shall be properly
graded and drained to a public sewer or other approved disposal sys-
tem complying with the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code; and shall
be paved with concrete or other non-absorbent material when required
by the building official.
SECTION 513.0 OBSTRUCTION OF COURTS AND YARDS
513.1 PERMISSIBLE PROJECTIONS: Every required court and yard shall
remain unobstructed for its required area and full height, except for
the projections permitted in section 313.0. In residential and
institutional buildings, clothes poles, arbors, garden trellises and
other such accessories shall not be prohibited in the open spaces at
ground level.
5-13
SECTION 514.0 FIRE EMERGENCY VENTILATING SYSTEM
In all buildings and structures herein required to have fire emer-
gency ventilating systems, the common hallways shall be constructed
with:
a) vertical fire vent stacks and lateral fire vent ducts as here-
in provided, or
b) windows to the outer air, or
c) mechanical ventilating or exhaust systems, or
d) other equivalent approved means for dissipating smoke, heated
air and toxic gases directly to the outer air in the event of
fire.
514.1 WHERE REQUIRED: Fire emergency ventilating systems shall be
provided:
a) in buildings used for H-1 and H-2 (institutional) use groups
which :
1) exceed three (3) stories or forty (40) feet in height,
and
2) exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet in floor area,
and
3) are occupied by more than fifty (50) persons above the
first floor or have more than twenty-five (25) sleep-
ing rooms above the first floor;
b) in buildings used for L-1 and L-2 (hotel and apartment house)
use groups which:
1) same as 1 above,
2) same as 2 above,
3) same as 3 above.
c) in all fully enclosed industrial building without provision of
exterior openings for ventilation purposes.
514.2 FIRE VENT DUCTS: When the common hallways and exit ways are
not ventilated by windows opening directly to the outer air as re-
quired in section 503, a system of collecting fire ducts shall be
provided in each story of aggregate size to remove the smoke, hot air
and noxious fumes or gases in event of fire. Each duct shall be not
less than one (1) square foot in area located in the common hallways
with screened openings complying with the approved rules, constructed
as provided for hot air ducts in sections 1019 and 1119.
5-14
514.3 THERMOSTATIC OPERATION: When not connected to a vent stack
the inlet openings on each story shall be controlled by automatic
heat-operated devices as required in section 510.2 and in accordance
with the approved rules.
514.4 FIRE VENT STACKS: When the fire ducts do not discharge di-
rectly to the outer air in each story, one or more fire vent stacks
of adequate capacity shall be installed to accommodate the discharge
from the fire duct system in any one floor or enclosed fire area, but
in no case shall any individual stack be less than four (4) square
feet in area, and all stacks shall terminate in an approved automatic
cowl or ventilator outlet above the roof.
514.5 LOCATION OF STACKS: The vent stack shall be located in as
central a position as practicable with respect to the floor area
vented thereby, preferably in the vicinity of vertical shafts, and
shall extend continuously to the roof.
514.6 VENT CONTROL OF STACKS: The vent control of the vertical
stacks shall consist of approved noncombustible dampers, shutters,
or glazed metal sash designed to open outwardly, located not less
than twenty (20) feet distant from window openings or exitway doors
in adjoining walls, and shall be equipped with a thermostatic unit
arranged to open at a predetermined rate of temperature rise in
accordance with the approved rules. Auxiliary mechanical means for
manual operation of all vent controls shall be provided in an accessi-
ble location designated by the building official.
514.7 STACK CONSTRUCTION: The stack enclosure shall be constructed
to be vapor and smoke tight with walls of not less than two (2) hours
f ireresistance, with no openings other than the fire duct inlets and
the top automatic ventilator outlet.
514.8 MECHANICAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS: When mechanical exhaust is required
to operate the emergency ventilating system either in horizontal ducts
or vertical vent stacks, the installation shall be thermostatically
controlled and installed in accordance with the provisions of article
18 and the approved rules.
SECTION 515.0 FIRE VENTILATION OF OPEN WELLS
Unenclosed well openings for moving stairways constructed in accor-
dance with the provisions of ELV-2 and not accepted as a required ele-
ment of an exitway shall be permitted in mercantile buildings when
equipped with an approved two-source supervised automatic sprinkler
system and protected on every floor pierced by the opening with an
approved automatic exhaust system or by other approved methods as here-
in required to prevent the passage of fire, smoke and gases to the
story above.
5-15
515.1 EXHAUST SYSTEM: The approved automatic exhaust system may be
a separate unit or integrated with an approved air conditioning sys-
tem and shall be thermostatically controlled to operate simultaneous-
ly with the detection of fire.
515.11 CAPACITY OF EXHAUST SYSTEM: The exhaust system shall be of
adequate capacity to create a down draft in the open well with suf-
ficient velocity of flow over the entire area of the well opening
under normal conditions of window and door openings in the building.
In air conditioned buildings the system shall operate satisfactorily
to the building official with the normal air conditioning fans shut
off.
515.2 WATER CURTAIN: An approved water curtain with baffles shall
be located to form a continuous water barrier extending from floor
to ceiling on all exposed sides of the well opening. Such water
curtain shall be formed and operated automatically, either with open
sprinklers or spray nozzles or with approved automatic sprinklers,
or other approved thermostatically controlled devices.
515.3 POWER CONTROL: The power lines to all parts of the exhaust
system and fresh air intake shall be furnished from an independent
power supply complying with article 15 and the reference standards
of this article for the control of automatic fire pumps and blower
and exhaust systems.
515.4 AIR CONDITIONED BUILDINGS: The exhaust system herein required,
when installed in an air conditioned building, shall be so arranged so
to automatically stop the operation of the mechanical air conditioning
and ventilating systems and close the dampers of the return air duct
connection in the event of fire.
SECTION 516.0 WINDOW CLEANING SAFEGUARDS
All buildings and structures over fifty (50) feet or four (4) stories
in height, in which the windows are cleaned from the outside, shall be
provided with anchors or other approved safety devices shall be of ap-
proved design, constructed of corrosion-resistive materials securely
attached to the window frames or anchored in the enclosure walls of
the building. Cast iron or cast bronze anchors shall be prohibited.
5-16
Reference Standards - Article 5
USHEW HRA-74-A000
Mass-DPH Article II
ASHRAE
ASHRAE
ASHRAE
Mass-DPS ELV-2
General Standards of Construction
and Equipment for Hospital and
Medical Facilities
1969 Minimum Standards of Fitness for
Human Habitation
1967 Guide and Data Book, Handbook of
Fundamentals
1968 Guide and Data Book, Applications
1969 Guide and Data Book, Equipment
1971 Board of Elevator Regulations:
Elevator, Dumbwaiter, Escalator,
and Moving Walk Regulations
5-17
ARTICLE 6
MEANS OF EGRESS
SECTION 600.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall control the design, construc-
tion and arrangement of building elements required to insure safe
means of egress from all buildings hereafter erected, and from all
buildings thereafter altered to a new occupancy load, or manner of
use, or inherent fire hazard. Existing buildings and uses shall be
controlled by the provisions of section 605.
600.1 MODIFICATION OF EXITWAY REQUIREMENTS: When strict compliance
with the provisions of the Basic Code is not practical, the build-
ing official may accept alternate means of egress which will ac-
complish the same purpose, by the procedure established in article 1,
section 101.22.
600.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: It shall be unlawful to alter any build-
ing or structure in any manner that will reduce the nimiber of exit-
ways or the capacity of exitways below the requirements of this-> fcde
for new buildings of the proposed use and occupancy.
600.3 OTHER STANDARDS: Compliance with the applicable provisions
of the standard listed at the end of this article shall be deemed
to meet the requirements of this article, unless otherwise specific-
ally provided herein.
SECTION 601.0 DEFINITIONS
AUTOMATIC FIRE DOOR: (see section 901.0)
AUTOMATIC COLLAPSIBLE REVOLVING DOOR: a door which is designed, sup-
ported and constructed so that the wings will release and fold back
in the direction of egress under pressure exerted by persons under
panic conditions, providing a legal passageway on both sides of the
door pivot.
COMMON HALLWAY: a common corridor or space separately enclosed which
provides any of the following in any story:
a) common access to the required exitways of the building, or
b) common access for more than one (1) tenant, or
c) common access for more than thirty (30) persons.
DOORWAY: the clear width of the opening protected by a door, subject
to the width reduction provisions of this Code.
ESCALATOR: a moving stairway.
6-1
EXITWAY: that portion of a means of egress which is separated from
all other spaces of a building or structure by construction or
equipment as required in this Code to provide a protected, un-
obstructed way of travel to the exitway discharge.
EXITWAY ACCESS: exitway access is that portion of a means of egress
which leads to an entrance to an exitway.
EXITWAY DISCHARGE: that portion of a means of egress between termi-
nation of an exitway and a public space with access to a public way
or street.
FIRE DOOR: (see section 901.0)
FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY: (see section 901.0)
FIRE WINDOW: (see section 901.0)
FLOOR AREA, GROSS: for the purpose of determining the number of per-
sons for whom exits are to be provided, gross floor area shall be
the floor area within the perimeter of the outside walls of the build-
ing under consideration, with no deduction for hallways, stairs,
closets, thickness of walls, columns, or other features.
FLOOR AREA, NET: for the purpose of determining the number of persons
for whom exits are to be provided, net floor area shall be the actual
occupied area, not including accessory unoccupied areas or thickness
of walls.
GRADE HALLWAY, GRADE LOBBY, GRADE PASSAGEWAY: an enclosed hallway or
corridor that is an element of an exitway, terminating at a street
or an open space or court communicating with a street.
HALLWAY, GRADE: (see grade hallway)
HORIZONTAL EXIT: a way of passage from one building or fire area to
an area of refuge in another building or fire area on approximately
the same level, which affords safety from fire or smoke from the
area of escape and areas communicating therewith.
MEANS OF EGRESS: a continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any
point in a building or structure to a public space and consists of
three (3) separate and distinct parts: (a) the exitway access, (b)
the exitway and (c) the exitway discharge; a means of egress comprises
the vertical and horizontal means of travel and shall include inter-
vening room spaces, doors, hallways, corridors, passageways, balcon-
ies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators, horizontal exits,
courts and yards.
MOVING STAIRWAY: escalator.
SELF-CLOSING: as applied to a fire door or other opening protective,
means normally closed and equipped with an approved device which will
insure closing after having been opened for use.
6-2
SLIDESCAPE: a straight or spiral chute erected on the Interior or
exterior of a building which Is designed as a means of human eg-
ress direct to the street or other public space.
SMOKEPROOF TOWER (FIRE TOWER): an Interior enclosed stairway, with
access from the floor area of the building either through outside
balconies or ventilated vestibules opening on a street or yard or
open court, and with a separately enclosed direct exitway leading
directly to an exitway discharge at the street or grade floor.
STAIRWAY: one or more flights of stairs and the necessary landings
and platforms connecting them to form a continuous and uninterrupted
passage from one floor to another. A flight of stairs, for the
purposes of this article, must have three (3) or more risers.
WINDER: a step in a winding stairway.
SECTION 602.0 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
602.1 ARRANGEMENT OF EXITWAYS: The plans shall show in sufficient
detail the location, construction, size and character of all exit-
ways together with the arrangement of aisles, corridors, passage-
ways and hallways leading thereto in compliance with the provisions
of this Code.
602.2 NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS: In other than one and two-family and
multi-family dwellings, the plans and the application for permit shall
designate the nimiber of occupants to be accommodated on every floor,
and in all rooms and spaces when required by the building official.
When not otherwise specified, the minimum number of occupants to be
accommodated by the exltways shall be determined by the occupancy
load prescribed In section 606. The posted occupancy load of the
building shall be limited to that ntraiber.
SECTION 603.0 USE AND OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS
603.1 NEW BUILDINGS: Every building and structure and part thereof
hereafter erected shall have the required number of exltways comply-
ing with the requirements of this Code. Exltways in combination
with the exitway access and exitway discharge shall provide a safe
and continuous means of egress to a street or to an open space with
direct access across to a street.
603.2 MIXED OCCUPANCY GROUPS: When a building is classified in more
than one (1) occupancy group, in accordance with the provisions of
article 2, the exitway requirements for the entire building shall be
determined on the basis of the occupancy group having the strictest
exitway requirements; or the exitway requirements for each building
section shall be determined separately; or when places of assembly,
night clubs and rooms and spaces for similar occupancies are provided
in a building section, the exltways shall be adequate for the combined
occupancy tributary thereto.
6-3
603.3 MULTIPLE TENANTS: When more than one (1) tenant occupies any
one floor of a building or structure, each tenant shall be provided
with direct access to approved exitways.
603.4 BUILDING ACCESS FOR HANDICAPPED: All buildings and parts there-
of classified in use groups C (Mercantile), D (Industrial), E (Business),
F (Assembly), H (Institutional), L-1 and L-2 (Residential) shall have
at least one primary entrance accessible to and usable by the handi-
capped. Such entrance shall provide access to a level that makes ele-
vators available in buildings where elevators are provided. Where ramps
are used to comply with this requirement, they shall have a slope not
greater than one (1) in ten (10) and comply with the other provisions
of this article for access to the handicapped.
SECTION 604.0 AIR-CONDITIONED BUILDINGS
604.1 LOCATION OF STAIRWAYS: In all buildings, without exterior win-
dow openings in all stories, that are artificially ventilated and air-
conditioned as provided in section 511, the stairway element of required
exitways shall be located as to be accessible to the fire department
either through the access openings specified in section 858.0 or as
otherwise approved in at least alternate stories of the building.
604.2 EXHAUST DUCTS: No exhaust ducts or vents of air-conditioning
systems shall discharge into stairway or elevator enclosures nor shall
corridors serving as exitway access be used as the return exhaust from
air-conditioned spaces through louvres or other devices in the doors
or partitions enclosing such air-conditioned spaces; unless such pas-
sageways are equipped with approved products of combustion detectors
to automatically stop the supply and exhaust fans and close the louvres
and unless such use is approved by the building official.
SECTION 605.0 EXISTING BUILDINGS
605.1 OWNER RESPONSIBILITY: The owner or lessee of every existing
building and structure shall be responsible for the safety of all per-
sons in or occupying such premises with respect to the adequacy of
means of egress therefrom as required by this Code.
605.2 UNSAFE MEANS OF EGRESS
605.21 INADEQUATE EXITWAYS: In any existing building or structure,
not now provided with exitway facilities as herein prescribed for new
buildings and in which the exitways are deemed inadequate for safety
by the building official, such additional provision shall be made for
safe means of egress as he shall order.
605.3 NO CHANGE IN USE: When there is no change in use group or oc-
cupancy load, the minimum exitway requirements shall be as follows:
6-4
605.31 NEW EXITWAYS: If new or altered exitway facilities are in-
stalled or construction, they shall comply with all the requirements
for new buildings.
605.32 EXISTING EXITWAYS: In all buildings (other than one and
two-family dwellings) exceeding three (3) stories or forty (40) feet
in height, or having more than seventy-five (75) occupants above or
more than forty (40) occupants below grade floor, all existing en-
closed stairways shall be enclosed with partitions and opening pro-
tectives of two (2) hour f ireresistance rating complying with article
9; doors shall be self-closing. Existing enclosures of substandard
f ireresistive construction shall be covered on the stair side only
with the component materials required for a two (2) hour fireresis-
tive assembly.
605.33 FIRE ESCAPES: In buildings not over five (5) stories or sixty-
five (65) feet in height, fire escapes complying with the require-
ments of section 621 may be accepted as a secondary means of egress
when deemed adequate by the building official and when approved ac-
cess to the street is provided from the termination of the fire escape.
605.4 EXISTING USE CHANGED: In every building or structure in which
there is a change from one use group to another with special require-
ments, or when there is an increase in occupancy load, the exitway
facilities serving the new use and occupancy shall be made to comply
with all the provisions of this article for buildings hereafter erected.
SECTION 606.0 OCCUPANCY LOAD
606.1 DESIGN OCCUPANCY LOAD: In determining required exitway facil-
ities, the number of occupants for whom exitway facilities shall be
provided shall be established by the largest number computed as follows;
606.11 The actual number of occupants for whom each occupied space,
floor, or building, as the case may be, is designed for; or,
606.12 The number of occupants computed at the rate of one (1) oc-
cupant per unit of area as prescribed in table 6-1; or,
606.13 The number of occupants of any space as computed in section
606.11 or 606.12 above plus the number of occupants similarly computed
for all spaces that discharge through space in order to gain access to
an exitway.
606.2 MEZZANINE FLOORS: The occupancy load of a mezzanine floor
discharging through a floor below shall be added to the main floor
occupancy and the capacity of the exits shall be designed for the
total occupancy load thus established.
606.3 ROOFS: Roof areas occupied as roof gardens or for assembly,
storage or other purposes shall be provided with exitway facilities
6-5
to accommodate the required occupancy load, but in no case shall there
be less than two (2) approved means of egress for assembly uses from
such roof areas.
606.4 SPECIAL USES: For areas in other use groups not specified in the
Basic Code, the building official shall establish the occupancy load to
be assumed in the design.
606.5 CONFLICTS: When there are special requirements for specific
occupancies and uses in article 4 which differ from general requirements
herein prescribed, such special provisions shall take precedence.
TABLE 6-1 FLOOR AREA ALLOWANCE PER OCCUPANT
USE FLOOR AREA IN SQUARE
FEET PER OCCUPANT
Areas without fixed seats 12 net
Areas with fixed seats (theatres, bleachers, etc.)... 6 net (Note 1)
Areas with fixed seats (restaurants, bars, etc.) 8 net
Standing space 3 net
Bowling alleys, allow five (5) persons for each alley,
including fifteen (15) feet of runway, and for
additional areas 10 net
Business areas 100 gross
Court rooms 40 net
Day nurseries 35 net
Educational (Note 2)
Garages and open parking structures 250 gross
Industrial areas 200 gross
Institutional
Sleeping areas:
Single occupant room 125 net
Multiple occupant room 90 net per
occupant
In-patient areas 240 gross
Kitchens (non-residential) . 200 gross
Locker rooms 20 gross
Mercantile, basement and grade floor area 30 gross
Areas on other floors 60 gross
Schoolhouses (Note 3)
Classrooms 20 net
Shops and vocational 50 net
Assembly (conference rooms,
dining rooms, refreshment
areas, exhibit rooms, gyms,
lounges) 15 net
Storage, shipping areas 100 gross
Residential 200 gross
Stages
Performing areas 15 gross
Other areas 50 gross
Storage areas, mechanical equipment room 300 gross
6-6
Note 1: The occupant load for an assembly area having fixed seats
shall be determined by the number of fixed seats installed.
Note 2: Standards for Educational uses are subject to the provisions
of Reference Standard F-6, Building Regulations for School-
houses, of the State Building Code Commission.
Note 3: The capacity or occupant load permitted in a building or
portion thereof may be increased above that specified if the
necessary aisles and exits are provided subject to the approval
of the building official.
SECTION 607.0 TYPES AND LOCATION OF EXITWAYS
All approved exitways, including doorways, passageways, corridors,
hallways, interior stairways, exterior stairways, moving stairways,
smokeproof towers, ramps, horizontal exits, bridges, balconies, fire
escapes and combinations thereof shall be arranged and constructed as
provided herein and in article 9 for fire enclosure requirements.
607.1 ARRANGEMENT: All required exitways shall be so located as to be
visible and readily accessible with unobstructed access thereto and so
arranged as to lead directly to the street or to an area of refuge with
supplemental means of egress that will not be obstructed or impaired by
fire, smoke or other cause.
607.2 SEPARATION OF EXITWAYS: Whenever more than one (1) exitway is
required from any room, space or floor of a building, they shall be
placed as remote from each other as practicable, and shall be arranged
to provide direct access in separate directions from any point in the
area served.
607.3 LENGTH OF TRAVEL: All exitways shall be so located that the
maximum length of exitway access travel, measured from the most remote
point to an approved exitway along the natural and unobstructed line of
travel shall not exceed the distances given in table 6-2; except that in
buildings of residential, mercantile or institutional use groups where
the area is subdivided into rooms or compartments, and the egress travel
in the room or compartment is not greater than fifty (50)* feet, the
distance shall be measured from the exitway access entrance to the
nearest exitway.
* May be increased to 100 feet, in use groups equipped
with automatic sprinklers.
607.4 FLOORS BELOW GRADE: In buildings of all use groups the per-
missible length of exitway access travel on any floor more than one (1)
story below grade shall not exceed seventy-five (75) feet.
6-7
TABLE 6-2 MAXIMUM LENGTH OF EXITWAY ACCESS TRAVEL (FEET)
USE GROUP
LENGTH
LENGTH WITH FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
High Hazard (A) .
.
75
Storage (B)
100
150
Mercantile (C) . . .
100
150
Industrial (D) . , .
150
250
Business (E)
200
300
Assembly (F)
150
200
Institutional (H)
100
200
Residential (L) . .
100
150
SECTION 608.0 CAPACITY OF EXITS
608.1 UNIT OF EXIT WIDTH: The basic whole unit of clear exit width is
twenty-two (22) inches and its whole multiples. The allowance for
excess width of twelve (12) inches to twenty-one (21) inches is one-half
(1/2) unit. (No credit given for excess width less than twelve (12)
inches.
22" to 33" = 1 unit
44" to 55" = 2 units
66" to 77" = 3 units
33" to 43" = 1 1/2 units*
56" to 65" = 2 1/2 units
78" to 87" = 3 1/2 units
*A door 40" in width = 2 units; a single door 33" to 39" =
1 1/2 units; 40" to 44" = 2 units.
608.2 DESIGN CAPACITY ALLOWANCE: Specific modifications: article 4
Means of Computation:
Design Capacity = units of egress width (608.1) x number of
persons per unit egress width (table 6-3) .
TABLE 6-3 CAPACITY PER UNIT EGRESS WIDTH
Without Suppression
System
Number of Occupants
With Suppression
System
Number of Occupants
Stairways
Doors
and
Stairways
Doors and
USE GROUP
and Ramps
Corrid
ors
and Ramps
Corridors
High Hazard (A)
__
__
60
100
Storage (B)
60
100
90
150
Mercantile (C)
60
100
90
150
Industrial (D)
60
100
90
150
Business (E)
60
100
90
150
Assembly (F)
75
100
113
150
Assembly (F-6) (Class-
room areas)
1 or 2 stories
90
100
120
150
3 stories or more
75
100
120
150
Institutional (H)
22
30
33
45
Residential (L)
75
100
113
150
6-8
NOTE: The main exitway of a bowling alley shall be of sufficient
capacity to accommodate fifty (50) percent of the total oc-
cupant load, without regard to the number of aisles which
it serves.
SECTION 609.0 NUMBER OF EXITWAYS
The following general requirements apply to buildings of all use
groups. More restrictive requirements that may be provided in article 4
for special uses and occupancies shall take precedence over the general
provisions of this section.
609.1 MINIMU>I NUMBER: Except in one and two-family dwellings, there
shall be two (2) or more approved independent exitway s serving every
floor area above and below the grade floor, one (1) of which shall be an
interior enclosed stairway. Exitways in dwellings shall be so arranged
that they may be reached without passing through another living unit.
609.11 EXITWAYS IN RESIDENTIAL USE GROUPS: In all multi-family resi-
dential use groups (L-2) , except as provided in section 609.12, each
apartment shall have access to at least two (2) independent exits which
are remote from each other; such exits shall be so arranged that to
reach either exit it will not be necessary to pass through a public
corridor which serves the other.
609.12 EXITWAYS IN TYPE 1-A, 1-B, 2-A AND 2-B, L-2 USE GROUPS: In
buildings of type 1-A, 1-B, 2-A and 2-B construction a single exitway
shall be permitted for every room, or group of less than four (4) rooms
used for residential occupancy on multi-family floors, provided that
elevator lobbies on all floors except the ground floor are enclosed with
self-closing fire doors, so that no entrance door of any room or apartment
shall be more than fifty (50) feet from the nearest egress or segregating
fire partition. Doors from elevator lobbies, doors in segregating fire
partitions, and doors to stair enclosures, shall not be over two hundred
(200) feet apart. Sleeping facilities shall be limited to not more than
six (6) persons beyond the enclosed stairs. Rooms other than bedrooms
connected with the same living unit may be permitted.
609.2 BASEMENT RECREATION ROOMS: In residential buildings (use group
L-1 and L-2), the basements of which are used as playrooms or for similar
recreation purposes, with an occupancy load of twelve (12) or more, such
areas and the exitway shall be enclosed with partitions and ceiling of
not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistive construction. A
direct secondary exit from the basement to streets, yards or courts
leading to the street, shall be acceptable in lieu of the requirement
for an enclosed stairway.
609.3 OPEN PARKING STRUCTURES: Parking structures shall have at least
two (2) or more exitways from each parking tier, except that where
vehicles are mechanically parked, only one (1) exitway need be provided
in structures not exceeding eighty-five (85) feet in height. The maximum
distance from any point on a parking tier to an exitway at that tier
shall be three hundred (300) feet. Ramps used for the movement of
vehicles need not be enclosed and may be considered as required exitways
in structures not exceeding eighty-five (85) feet in height where
6-9
vehicles are attendant parked and in other structures having not less
than two (2) enclosed stairways. The construction of stairways, ramps
and stairway enclosures shall comply with the applicable requirements of
this Code; except that stairways in a structure where vehicles are
attendant parked and the height of the structure does not exceed fifty
(50) feet, or in structures not exceeding eighty-five (85) feet in
height where vehicles are mechanically parked, only one (1) stairway
need be enclosed.
SECTION 610.0 EXITWAY ACCESS PASSAGEWAYS AND CORRIDORS
610.1 ACCESS PASSAGEWAYS: Direct exitway access shall be provided to
required exitways through continuous passageways, aisles or corridors,
conveniently accessible to all occupants and maintained free of ob-
struction.
610.11 TURNSTILES AND GATES: Access through turnstiles, gates, rails
or similar devices shall not be permitted unless such a device is equipped
to readily swing in the exiting direction of travel under a total
pressure of not more than fifteen (15) pounds.
610.2 DEAD ENDS: Exitway access passageways and corridors in all
stories which serve more than one (1) exitway shall provide direct
connection to such exitways in opposite directions from any point in the
corridor, insofar as practicable. In no case shall the length of a dead
end corridor be more than twenty (20) feet except in type lA and IB the
corridor length may be thirty (30) feet.
610.3 WIDTHS: The unit exit width and occupancy allowance of aisles
and corridors, unless otherwise provided for special uses and occupancies
in article 4, shall be the same as for exitway stairways (table 6-3)
with a minimum total width of forty-four (44) inches in buildings of the
storage, business, industrial and assembly use groups; sixty (60) inches
in mercantile and institutional buildings other than those used for the
movement of beds which shall be ninety-six (96) inches; and seventy-two
(72) inches in church schools; except that in churches and chapels, side
aisles may be one-half (%) the width but in no case less than thirty-two
(32) inches clear.
610.4 OPENING PROTECTIVES: All door assemblies from rooms opening onto
a common corridor, required by table 2-5 to be of three-quarter (3/4)
f ireresistive construction, shall be equipped with approved automatic or
self-closing:
a) three-quarter (3/4) hour fire doors; or,
b) one and three-quarter (1-3/4) inch thick solid core wood
doors; or,
c) their approved equivalent.
All door assemblies from rooms opening onto a common corridor, required
by table 2-5 to be of two (2) hour f ireresistive construction, shall be
one and one-half (1%) hour fire doors.
6-10
SECTION 611.0 GRADE PASSAGEWAYS AND LOBBIES USED AS AN EXITWAY
ELEMENT
611.1 ENCLOSURES OF PASSAGEWAYS: Every required interior and exterior
exitway element which does not adjoin a street shall be directly con-
nected to the street or to an open court leading to the street by an
enclosed passageway, hallway, lobby or other unobstructed exitway ele-
ment constructed as provided in this section and in section 909.0.
611.2 WIDTH AND HEIGHT: The effective width of the lobby or other
enclosed passageway shall be not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the
aggregate width of all required exitway stairways leading thereto and
all required exitway doorways opening into the passageway. Such passage-
way shall have a minimum width of forty-four (44) inches and a mini-
mum clear ceiling height of eight (8) feet.
611.3 MAXIMUM STAIRWAY LIMITATIONS: Not more than fifty (50) per-
cent of required exitway capacity shall discharge through the same
passageway.
611.4 CONSTRUCTION: The enclosures of grade passageways and lobbies
connecting required means of egress to the street shall be of the
firerated construction required for exitways in table 2-5. All open-
ings which are elements or components of a required means of egress
shall comply with the requirements of article 9 relative to opening
protectives.
When there are accessory uses within the grade passageway or lobby
a fire suppression system will be required.
SECTION 612.0 MEANS OF EGRESS DOORWAYS
The requirements of this section shall apply to all doorways serv-
ing as a component or element of a means of egress; except this
section shall not apply to doorways leading to or from required stair-
ways (see sections 616.6, 618.5, and 619.3).
612.1 NUMBER OF DOORWAYS: Every room with an occupancy load of more
than fifty (50) or which exceeds one thousand five hundred (1500)
square feet in area shall have at least two (2) egress doorways and
the doors shall be hung to swing in the direction of exit travel with-
out obstructing the required width of exitway.
612.11 ENTRANCE AND EGRESS DOORWAYS: Where separate doors are pro-
vided for entrance and egress use, the entrance door shall be clearly
marked "ENTRANCE ONLY" in letters not less than six (6) inches in
height and legible from both inside and outside; unless such doors
are equipped with an emergency release bracket that will disengage
the door operator and permit the door to swing outward under total
pressure of not more than fifteen (15) pounds. Unless so equipped,
doors swinging inward only shall not be accepted as part of the re-
quired egress elements. When doors are operated by mechanical open-
ing device they shall comply with the requirements of section 612.44.
6-11
612.2 SIZE OF DOORWAYS: The minimum width of single doorways shall be
thirty-two (32) inches and the maximum width shall be forty-four (44)
inches with the following exception:
Access for the handicapped: In all buildings and parts
thereof subject to the provisions of section 603.4 primary
entrance and access doorways shall be thirty-six (36) in-
ches or greater in width.
When the doorway is subdivided into two (2) or more separate openings,
the minimum clear width of each opening shall be at least thirty-two
(32) inches, and each opening shall be computed separately in deter-
mining the number of required units of exit width.
The minimum clear width of single doorways in one and two-family dwell-
ings and from retail stores and similar spaces on the grade floor to the
street, when not required as access for the handicapped, shall be thirty
(30) inches or greater in width.
The height of doorways shall be at least six (6) feet eight (8) inches.
In applying the provisions of this Code, the normal doorway opening with
the allowance for door jambs as provided in section 612.21 shall be used
for computing the required size doorways.
612.21 DOORWAY WIDTH REDUCTION: Door jambs may project into required
width of an exit door opening not more than one (1) inch for each full
twenty-two (22) inch exit unit.
612.3 LOCATION OF DOORS: The required doorways opening from a room or
space within a building leading to an exitway access shall be located as
remote as practicable from each other.
The distance of exitway access travel from any point in a room or
space to a required exitway door shall not exceed the limitations of
section 607.3 and table 6-2.
612.4 DOOR HARDWARE
612.41 OPERATION: Locks and fastenings on egress doors shall be readily
opened from the inner side without the use of keys. Draw bolts, hooks
and other similar devices shall be prohibited. The locking device must
be of a type that will be readily distinguishable as locked. These
requirements shall apply in any case only during the normal hours of
occupancy.
612.411 LOCKS IN MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS: Requirements for locks in
multi-family dwellings are subject to the provisions of section 3R of
Chapter 143 of the Massachusetts General Laws Annotated, as amended.
6-12
612.42 PANIC PROOF: In rooms of use group F-2 (assembly) with an
occupancy load of more than fifty (50) and in rooms of use groups F-1
and F-3 (assembly) with an occupancy load of more than three hundred
(300) , egress doors shall be equipped with approved panic proof latches
or bolts which release under a pressure of fifteen (15) pounds.
612.43 REMOTE CONTROL: In rooms of use group H-1 (institutional)
occupied as places of detention, approved releasing devices with remote
control shall be provided for emergency use.
612.44 MECHANICAL OPERATIONS: Except as may be otherwise provided for
openings in fire and fire division walls, all fire doors shall be
self-closing and shall be closed during occupancy of the building or
part thereof, except that fail safe electro-magnetic holders when
activated by approved rate of temperature raise and approved smoke
detection devices located on both sides of the opening and connected
to the central fire alarm stations may be used on all exit and smoke
screen doors in horizontal hallways, exitways and corridors but not on
doors connected to stairwells. Where egress doors are arranged to be
opened by mechanical devices of any kind, they shall be so constructed
that the door may be opened manually and will release under a total
load of not more than fifteen (15) pounds applied in the direction of
exitway travel .
612.5 DOOR CONSTRUCTION: All required egress doors that serve as an
element of an exitway shall be self-closing or automatic fire doors with
approved hardware, except for grade floor exitway discharge doors and
revolving exitway doors as provided for in sections 612.51 and 613.0.
612.51 GRADE EXITWAY DISCHARGE DOORS: Plate glass doors having one
or more unframed edges may be used provided they are constructed of
tempered glass not less than three-quarter (3/4) inches thick. Glass doors
and adjacent lights which may, in the opinion of the building official,
constitute a hazard by virtue of not being readily visible as a barrier,
must be of approved safety glasing material.
SECTION 613.0 REVOLVING EXITWAY DOORS
613.1 LIMITATIONS OF USE
613.11 WHERE PERMITTED: Except in places of use group F (assembly)
with an occupancy load of more than two hundred (200) and in buildings
of use group H (institutional) , approved automatic collapsible revolving
doors when constructed and installed as herein provided shall be accepted
in required exitway doorways from the first floor to the street but not
to exceed fifty (50) percent of the total required grade floor exits.
613.12 PROHIBITED CONSTRUCTION: Braces or other devices that prevent
normal operation of the automatic releasing mechanism shall be prohibited.
613.13 SUPPLEMENTAL EXITS: Approved swinging doors shall be provided
to furnish one-half (%) the required exitway width in accordance with
the provisions of this article. In any case, there shall be a minimum
of two (2) approved swinging doors provided, one on each side and immediately
adjacent to the revolving door.
6-13
613.2 WIDTH OF PASSAGE
613.21 UNIT EXIT WIDTH: Automatic collapsible revolving doors ap-
proved as an element of a required exltway shall provide a minimum
clear unit exit width of passageway through the vestibule when the
leaves are in a collapsed position.
613.22 MINIMUM DIAMETER: The minimum diameter of approved revolv-
ing doors shall be adequate to provide the required clear exit width
when collapsed, but in no case less than six and one-half (6J5) feet
in diameter.
613.3 SPEED CONTROL: All approved automatic collapsible revolving
doors shall be equipped with an approved speed control governor ad-
justable to safe traffic speed, but in no case more than fifteen
(15) nor less than ten (10) revolutions per minute.
613.4 CONSTRUCTION: All approved automatic collapsible revolving
doors shall be constructed as follows:
613.41 OPERATING MECHANISM: The collapsing mechanism shall be con-
structed of stainless steel or other approved corrosion-resistive
materials;
613.42 USE OF WOOD: Where not otherwise required by the provisions
of article 9, the doors may be constructed of wood or other approved
materials of similar combustible characteristics, providing the con-
struction is at least equivalent to that of a solid core three-quarter
(3/4) hour fire rated door construction;
613.43 FLOOR COVERING: Approved mats of other floor coverings, com-
plying with the provisions of article 9, not more than one-half ih)
inch thick, may be installed within the enclosure when permanently
secured to the structural flooring and finishing flush with the ad-
jacent floor area;
613.44 GLAZING: The doors shall be glazed with not less than seven
thirty-seconds (7/32) inch plate glass.
613.5 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE: The owner shall be responsible
for the care, operation and maintenance of all revolving door in-
stallations after such doors are placed in operation. The building
official may from time to time, and shall annually between December
first and March first, examine each revolving door within his juris-
diction. If the buidling official finds that any revolving door
fails to comply with the provisions of these regulations, he shall
notify the owner of the changes which are necessary for compliance,
and if the owner fails to make the necessary changes within thirty
(30) days, shall order in writing the removal of the door. Periodic
inspections shall be made by the person or firm responsible for the
installation at intervals of not more than three (3) months and shall
maintain all parts in proper working order.
6-14
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6-15
SECTION 614.0 HORIZONTAL EXITS
Horizontal exits as herein defined shall be accepted as an approved
element of a required means of egress when complying with the require-
ments of this article. The connection between the areas of refuge as
herein specified may be accomplished by protected openings in a fire
wall, by a vestibule, or by an open-air balcony or bridge.
614.1 OPENING PROTECTIVES: One side of the opening in fire walls or
fire divisions which are required to have a f ireresistance rating of
two (2) hours or more shall be protected with a one and one-half (IH)
hour self-closing fire door, swinging in the direction of exitway
travel, and on the opposite side with an approved automatic fire door
or water curtain. When serving as a dual element of a means of egress,
there shall be adjacent openings with swinging fire doors opening in
opposite directions.
614.2 SIZE OF DOORS: Size of openings in fire walls shall comply
with the provisions of section 908, but in no case shall the width
of one opening used as a required exit be greater than eighty-eight
(88) inches nor shall the area exceed eighty (80) square feet.
614.3 AREA OF REFUGE: The areas connected by the horizontal exit shall
be either public areas or spaces occupied by the same tenant and each
such area of refuge shall be adequate to house the total occupancy load
of both connected areas as provided in table 6-1.
614.4 UNLOCKED DOORS: Horizontal exit doors shall be kept unlocked
and unobstructed whenever the area on either side of the horizontal
exit is occupied.
614.5 EGRESS FROM AREA OF REFUGE
614.51 STAIRWAY EXITWAY: There shall be at least one (1) interior
enclosed stairway of smokeproof tower on each side of the horizontal
exit and any fire area not having a stairway accessible thereto shall
be considered as part of an adjoining section with such stairway; but
in no case shall the length of travel between the horizontal exit and
the required exitway exceed the requirements of section 607.3 and
table 6-2.
614.52 AUXILIARY ELEVATOR: When horizontal exits are provided in
floors located twelve (12) or more stories above grade, the required
stairway shall be supplemented by at least one (1) passenger elevator
complying with section 621, maintained ready for use during normal
occupancy of the building.
SECTION 615.0 EXITWAY RAMPS
Ramps with a gradient of not more than one (1) in ten (10) may be
used as an exitway component and shall comply with all the applicable
requirements of required interior stairways as to enclosure, capacity,
6-16
and limiting dimensions; except in existing buildings and where speci-
fied in article 4 for special uses and occupancies, larger gradients
may be permitted, but in no case greater than one and one-half (Ih)
in ten (10) . For all slopes exceeding one (1) in ten (10) and wherever
the use is such as to involve danger of slipping, the ramp shall be
surfaced with approved non-slip materials. In no case shall ramps re-
quired for the use of handicapped persons have a gradient of more than
one (1) in ten (10).
615.1 HANDRAILS: Ramps required for use by handicapped persons shall
have a handrail on at least one side that is not less than thirty (30)
inches nor more than thirty-three (33) inches in height measured from
the surface of the ramp. Handrails shall be smooth and shall extend
one (1) foot beyond the top and the botton of the ramps and return to
walls or ports at the ends.
615.2 LANDINGS: On ramps required for the use of handicapped persons,
landings shall be provided at all ramp points of turning, entrance,
exitway and doors at a minimum of thirty (30) foot intervals. All land-
ings shall provide a clear distance of forty-two (42) inches from any
door swinging to the ramp. Minimum landing length shall be forty-two
(42) Inches and the bottom landing of any ramp or set of ramps and
landings of a straight run shall be a minimum length of seventy-two
(72) inches.
SECTION 616.0 INTERIOR EXITWAY STAIRWAYS
616.1 CAPACITY OF EXITWAY STAIRS: The capacity of stairways and doors
per unit of exit width shall be computed in accordance with section 608.
616.2 MINIMUM DIMENSIONS
616.21 WIDTH: All required interior stairways shall be at least forty-
two (42) inches in width except that such width may be reduced to thirty-
six (36) inches in buildings of use group L-3 (one and two-family dwel-
lings) or in exitways from boiler rooms and similar service spaces not
open to the public or in general use by employees.
616.22 HEADROOM: The minimum headroom in all parts of the stair en-
closure shall be not less than six and two-thirds (6-2/3) feet.
616.23 RESTRICTIONS: No stairways shall reduce in width in the di-
rection of exit travel.
616.3 LANDINGS AND PLATFORMS
616.31 WIDTH: The least dimension of landings and platforms shall be
not less than the required width of stairway.
616.32 VERTICAL RISE: In buildings of use group F (assembly) and use
group H (institutional) occupancy, the height of vertical rise shall
not exceed eight (8) feet between landings and intermediate platforms.
6-17
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In all other buildings, no stairway shall have a height of rise of
more than fifteen (15) risers between landings, nor shall any single
stairway have less than three (3) risers.
616.4 TREADS AND RISERS
616.41 MINIMUM DIMENSIONS: The height of risers and the width of
treads in inches shall be as follows:
1 7
Use Group Maximum Risers Minimum Tread
One and two-family dwellings
(use group L-3)
All stairs with closed risers 8-1/4 inches 9 inches
Stairs with open risers 8-1/4 inches 9 inches
Assembly and Institutional 7-1/2 inches 10 inches
All others 8 inches 9 inches
■'■The maximum allowable variation in the height of risers is + one-
quarter (1/4) inches.
^All treads shall have an effective nosing of one (1) inch to one
and one-quarter (1-1/4) inches and shall be the same for the entire
stairway.
616.42 WINDERS: No winders shall be permitted in required exitway
stairways except that in one and two-family dwellings and in orna-
mental stairways not required as an element of an exitway, treads
with a minimum width of four (4) inches and an average width of nine
(9) inches may be permitted.
616.5 STAIRWAY GUARDS AND HANDRAILS: Unless otherwise specifically
provided for in this Code all stairways, except accessory stairways
in one and two-family dwellings, shall have continuous guards and
handrails on both sides, and in addition thereto, stairways required
to be more than eighty-eight (88) inches in width shall have inter-
mediate handrails dividing the stairway into portions not more than
eighty-eight (88) inches wide.
616.51 HANDRAIL DETAILS:
a) handrails may project not more than three and one-half (SJg)
inches into the required stair width.
b) handrails shall be not less than thirty (30) inches nor more
than thirty- three (33) inches, measured vertically, above the
nosing of the treads.
c) stairways provided for use by handicapped persons shall have
handrails which shall extend eighteen (18) inches beyond the
top and bottom step if a guard or wall exists. All handrails
covered by this section shall be returned to walls or posts at
the ends of the stairways.
d) handrails shall be designed to support an applied load of two
hundred (200) pounds in any direction at any point.
6-19
616.52 GUARD DETAILS:
a) guards shall be not less than thirty (30) inches in height
measured vertically above the nosing of the tread.
b) guards shall be constructed so that the area in the plane of
the guard from the top of the tread to the top of the guard
is subdivided or filled in one of the following methods:
1) a sufficient number of intermediate longitudinal rails
constructed so that the clear distance between rails
(measured at right angles to the rail) does not exceed
ten (10) inches. The bottom rail shall be not more
than ten (10) inches (measured vertically) from the
tread nosing.
2) balusters spaced not more than six (6) inches apart.
3) panels of wire mesh, or expanded metal, or ornamental
grills which provide protection equivalent to that pro-
vided by the intermediate rails or balusters specified
in the two preceeding paragraphs.
4) walls.
5) any combination of the foregoing.
616.6 STAIR EXITWAY DOORS
616.61 WIDTH: The clear width of every exitway doorway to or from
a stairway shall be not less than the number of units of exit width
required for the capacity of the stairway which services the floor
or floor area from which the exitway door leads; but in no case shall
such a doorway width be less than thirty-six (36) inches nominal in
use group L-3 buildings (one and two-family dwellings) and forty-two
(42) inches nominal width in use group E (business buildings) .
616.62 DIRECTION OF SWING: All doors shall swing on a landing in
the direction of exitway travel. When open, stair exitway doors shall
not reduce the width of landings to less than the minimum required
for its capacity and in no case to less than thirty-six (36) inches.
616.63 DOOR CONSTRUCTION: All doorway opening protectives, inclu-
ding the frames and hardware, shall be approved self-closing swing-
ing fire doors complying with article 9 except in one and two-family
dwellings where one and three-quarter (1-3/4) inch solid core wood
doors are permitted.
616.7 SPIRAL STAIRWAYS: Spiral stairways of noncombustible con-
struction may be used as an element of a means of egress from mezza-
nine areas not more than two hundred fifty (250) square feet in area
nor more than one-third (1/3) the area of the floor below. The mini-
mtan width shall be twenty- two (22) inches for the accommodation of
not more than ten (10) persons.
6-20
616.8 SUPPLEMENTAL STAIRWAYS: Monumental, ornamental, or accessory
stairways shall not be allowed without required enclosures in use
groups D (Industrial), F (Assembly), and H (Institutional), and
structures of type 3B, 3C, 4A, and 4B construction, unless specific-
ally allowed in section 418.22. In all other structures, monumental,
ornamental or accessory stairways extending from the grade floor to
the basement or to the second floor, when not required as an element
of exitway and not connecting more than two (2) adjoining stories,
shall be allowed without enclosures. Monumental, ornamental or ac-
cessory stairways shall be additional to and shall not obstruct or
interfere with required exitways.
616.9 STAIRWAY CONSTRUCTION: Unless herein otherwise provided, all
required interior stairways shall be built entirely of noncombustible
materials with solid risers, treads and landing platforms and all
finish floor surfaces on non-slip noncombustible materials; except
that wood handrails shall be permitted, complying with the require-
ments of section 616.5. In one and two-family dwellings, open
risers may be used.
616.91 STRENGTH: All stairways, platforms, landings and exitways
in other than one and two-family dwellings, shall be adequate to sup-
port a live load of one hundred (100) pounds per square foot.
616.92 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR STAIRWAY AND ENCLOSURE CONSTRUCTION:
Reference table 6-6.
SECTION 617.0 ACCESS TO ROOF
617.1 BY STAIRWAY: In buildings four (4) stories or more in height
with roofs having a slope of less than twenty (20) degrees, access
to the roof shall be provided by means of a stairway. Where the roof
is used as a roof garden or for other habitable purposes, sufficient
stairways shall extend to it to provide the necessary exitway facilities
from the roof as required for such occupancy.
617.2 ROOF ENCLOSURES: Stairways extending through roofs shall be
enclosed in roof structures of fireresistive construction meeting the
requirements of section 927.
SECTION 618.0 SMOKEPROOF STAIRWAY ENCLOSURE
618.1 WHERE REQUIRED: Al least one (1) of the required exitways shall
be a smokeproof stairway enclosure in buildings over five (5) stories
or over seventy (70) feet in height when one (1) of the following use
groups:
a)
C (Mercantile)
b)
D (Industrial)
c)
E (Business)
d)
F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-6
than theatres)
e)
H (Institutional)
f)
L-1 (Hotel, dormitory)
F-7 (Assembly buildings other
6-21
618.2 ACCESS: Exitway access to the stairway at each story shall
be through a vestibule or balcony with an unobstructed width not
less than the required stairvay width and a minimum dimension of
seventy-two (72) inches in the direction of exit travel.
618.3 DOOR OPENINGS: Door openings from interior spaces to the
vestibule or balcony and from the vestibule or balcony to the stair-
way shall be as required in section 612.2. The doors from interior
spaces to the vestibule shall have a f ireresistance rating not less
than one and one-half (1%) hours and shall comply with the require-
ments of section 616.6 for stair exitway doors. The door from the
vestibule to the stairway shall be not less than a one and three-
quarter (1-3/4) inch solid wood door set in a steel frame. Wired
glass may be used in the door not to exceed one hundred (100) square
inches in area and set in a steel frame. Any door assembly must be
fitted to ensure minimal air leakage.
618.4 TERMINAL PASSAGEWAY: The smokeproof enclosure shall termin-
ate at grade level and shall provide egress to the street indepen-
dently of all other exitways. When grade passageways are used, they
shall comply with the requirements of section 611, except that there
shall be no openings therein other than the smokeproof enclosure and
street exit doorways. The passageway walls shall be of four (4) hour
f ireresistive construction and the floor and roof of three (3) hour
f ireresistive construction.
618.5 CONSTRUCTION: The construction of smokeproof enclosures shall
be of walls with a four (4) hour fireresistive rating without openings
other than the required doorways. The vestibule shall be considered
to be an element of the exitway and shall be constructed in accordance
with the fireresistive requirements of table 2-5. The balcony shall
be constructed in accordance with the fireresistive requirements in
table 2-5 for floor construction.
The stairshaft vestibule or balcony shall be provided with emergency
lighting from an approved independent power source to assure continued
illumination in case of emergency. In buildings over seventy (70) feet
in height, the emergency lighting system may be integrated with the
emergency power system required for fire suppression systems as required
in article 12.
618.51 WINDOWS: All window openings in the exterior wall of the build-
ing, facing on the yard or court within thirty (30) feet below or to the
side of any access balcony or vestibule shall be protected with three-
quarter (3/4) hour opening protectives complying with article 9.
618.52 DOOR WIDTHS: Door openings from building to vestibules or
balconies and to the stairways shall be not less than forty-four (44)
inches wide. The doors shall be capable of being opened from both
sides without a key, complying with all the requirements of section
616.6 for exitway doors for stairways, except that the f ireresistance
rating shall be not less than one and one-half (Ih) hours or the ap-
proved labeled equivalent complying with article 9.
6-22
618.6 VENTILATION OF SMOKEPROOF STAIRWAY ENCLOSURES: Smokeproof
stairway enclosures shall be ventilated with natural ventilation or
mechanical ventilation meeting the requirements of section 618.7 or
618.8. In buildings over seventy (70) feet in height, ventilation
in exitway stairways must conform to the requirements of article 12.
618.7 SMOKEPROOF STAIRWAY ENCLOSURES BY NATURAL VENTILATION: The
balcony separating the smokeproof enclosure from the interior build-
ing spaces shall have at least one (1) open side adjacent to a street,
alley, or yard with four (4) feet high guard railings across the open
side(s) . One open side of the balcony shall have a minimum open area
of sixteen (16) square feet with no dimension less than thirty (30)
inches. Doors must be located so as to be openable in any weather.
There shall be no step between the balcony and the smokeproof stair-
way enclosure.
618.8 SMOKEPROOF ENCLOSURE BY MECHANICAL VENTILATION: The stairshaft
and vestibule shall be provided with a mechanical ventilation system
as specified herein that will be automatically activated on three (3)
or more floors in case of emergency. Buildings over seventy (70) feet
in height shall conform to the requirements for ventilation of arti-
cle 12.
618.81 OPERATION OF VENTILATING EQUIPMENT: Vestibule and stairshaft
mechanical ventilation may be inactive or may operate at reduced lev-
els for normal operations, but when the detectors referred to herein
either fail or are activated, the vestibule and stairshaft mechanical
ventilation system shall operate at the levels specified in sections
618.82 and 618.83. The vestibule ventilation system shall be designed
and activated in accordance with one of the following methods:
Method 1) - TOTAL SYSTEM. Simultaneous operation of all vestibules.
If the vestibule mechanical ventilation system is designed to pro-
vide the ventilation in the vestibules on all floors simultaneously,
a products-of-combustion detector shall be located outside each ves-
tibule so designed that activation or failure of any one of the detec-
tors will simultaneously activate the vestibule ventilation system on
all floors.
Method 2) - ZONED SYSTEM. Simultaneous operation of three or more
vestibules. If the vestibule ventilation system is designed as one
or more zones to provide the simultaneous ventilation in the vesti-
bules for at least a three (3) floor zone, automatic supply and ex-
haust dampers shall be provided in all vestibules in order to obtain
the zoned control of the ventilation as follows:
A smoke detector shall be located outside each vestibule so designed
to open the supply and exhaust duct dampers in the vestibules within
the affected zone three (3) or more floors, and to actuate the stair-
shaft ventilation system in case any detector in the affected zone
either fails or is activated.
6-23
618.82 VESTIBULE VENTILATION: The vestibule shall have an emergency
ventilating system providing not less than one (1) air change per
minute supply. The exhaust shall be one hundred fifty (150) percent
of the supply. The supply shall be sufficient to maintain a pressure
of 0.025 inches of water (0.0009 pounds per square inch) above am-
bient with all doors closed.
618.83 STAIRSHAFT VENTILATION: The stairshaft shall be provided with
emergency mechanical supply and exhaust air. There shall be a minimum
of one (1) air change per minute. The supply shall be sufficient to
provide a minimum of 0.05 inches of water column pressure (0.00185
pounds per square inch) above ambient with all doors closed. Supply
air shall be introduced at the level of the grade exitway discharge.
618.84 STANDBY POWER: Mechanical vestibule stairshaft ventilation
systems and detector systems shall be powered by an approved self-
contained generator designed to operate whenever there is a loss of
power in the normal house current . The generator shall be located
in a separate room of two (2) hour f ireresistive construction and shall
have a minimum fuel supply to operate the equipment for two (2) hours.
In buildings over seventy (70) feet high, refer to article 12 for re-
quirements for standby power in fire suppression system.
618.85 EMERGENCY LIGHTING: The vestibules and stairshaft shall be
provided with emergency lighting. The standby generator which is in-
stalled for the vestibule and stairshaft mechanical ventilation equip-
ment may be used for the standby emergency lighting power supply. In
buildings over seventy (70) feet high, refer to article 12 for require-
ments for standby power in fire suppression systems .
618.86 FIRE PROTECTION INDICATOR PANEL: A fire protection indicator
panel may be required by the fire official and located as practical
inside the entrance to the smokeproof tower stairshaft at grade. Said
panel shall indicate the floor or floors having caused the alarm. Said
panel shall have an overriding manual switch capable of deactivating
the ventilation equipment. For buildings over seventy (70) feet in
height, ref^r to article 12 for fire protection indicator panel re-
quirements.
618.87 FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION: The fire protection indicator
panel shall have a direct connection to the fire department facilities
if required by the fire official.
618.88 ACCEPTANCE AND TESTING: Before the foregoing equipment is ac-
cepted by the building official , it shall be certified by a qualified
registered professional engineer as being designed and capable of oper-
ating in compliance with these requirements and the equipment shall be
tested and certified by a qualified registered professionsal engineer
that it is operating in compliance with the requirements of this section.
618.89 BUILDING OWNERS' RESPONSIBILITY: The building owner shall have
tested all the equipment referred to in these requirements at least once
every ninety (90) days to ensure that all parts are in operable condition;
6-24
and he shall maintain a log attesting to the results. The log shall
be available for inspection by the building official and the fire
official. Once each year the system shall be inspected, tested and
certified by a qualified registered professional engineer that it is in
condition and capable of operating to meet these requirements.
SECTION 619.0 EXTERIOR EXITWAY STAIRWAYS
619.1 AS REQUIRED EXITWAY: Exterior stairways conforming to the re-
quirements for interior stairways in all respects, except as to en-
closures and except as herein specifically modified, may be accepted
as an element of a required means of egress in buildings not exceeding
five (5) stories or sixty-five (65) feet in height for other than use
group H (Institutional) provided there is at least one (1) additional
stairway.
Exterior stairways which are accepted as exitway elements in residen-
tial buildings of use groups L-2 and L-3 shall be relieved from re-
quirements for fire doors, but shall be provided with handrails and
guards as required for interior stairs (section 616.5 and 616.52) and
shall be protected from the weather as required in section 619.2.
619.11 LOCATION AND ARRANGEMENT: Exterior stairways may be utilized
where at least one (1) door from each tenant space opens onto a roofed-
over open porch or balcony served by at least two (2) stairways so lo-
cated as to provide a choice of independent, unobstructed means of
egress directly to the grade. Such porches and stairways shall comply
with the requirements for interior exitway stairways as specified in
section 616.0. Porches and balconies shall not be less than four and
one-half (4J5) feet in width. The stairways shall be located remotely
from each other. The maximum travel distance from any tenant space
to the nearest stairway shall be as specified in table 6-2. Porches
and stairways shall be located at least ten (10) feet from adjacent
property lot lines and from other buildings on the same lot unless
openings in such buildings are protected by three-quarter (3/4) hour
fireresistive doors or windows.
619.2 GUARDS AND CANOPIES: Guards shall be provided on all exposed
sides of required exterior stairways to a height of five (5) feet,
constructed of wire or other noncombustible weather resisting mesh
having a maximum opening of one and one-half (Ih) inches. The stair-
way shall be protected by metal or other approved noncombustible
material to the extent necessary to ensure that the stairway remains
in a safe, unobstructed and easily accessible condition in any weather.
619.3 OPENING PROTECTIVES
619.31 DOORS: Except as specified in section 619.1 for residential
buildings, access shall be provided at each story through a three-
quarter (3/4) hour self-closing fire door of the required number of
unit exit widths.
6-25
619.32 WINDOWS: In buildings more than three (3) stories in height,
or with an occupancy load of more than seventy-five (75) above or
more than forty (40) below grade, the openings below and within ten
(10) feet horizontally of the stairway shall be protected with ap-
proved three-quarter (3/4) hour automatic fire windows.
619.4 LOCATION
619.41 ACCESS TO STREET: All required exterior stairways shall be
located so as to lead directly to a street or open space with direct
access to a street; or when located on the rear of the building may
lead through a passageway at grade complying with section 611.
619.5 CONSTRUCTION: Exterior stairs shall be constructed entirely
of steel or other approved noncombustible materials with pipe hand-
rails on both sides of stairways and platforms. On buildings of type
3 or type 4 construction, not more than three (3) stories in height,
exterior stairways may be constructed of wood members not less than
two (2) inches in thickness.
619.6 CAPACITY: The capacity of exterior exitway stairways which
are used as a required means of egress are determined by section 608.1.
SECTION 620.0 MOVING EXITWAY STAIRWAYS
620.1 WHEN ACCEPTABLE: Moving stairways of the horizontal non-slip
tread type moving in the direction of egress may be accepted as an ap-
proved exitway element in buildings of all use groups except assembly
and institutional uses, when constructed and approved in accordance
with the requirements of this article and the provisions of ELV-2,
elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, and moving walk regulations, prom-
ulgated by the Board of Elevator Regulations, of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Department of Public Safety. When accepted as an ele-
ment of a required means of egress, they shall be enclosed with fire-
resistive partitions as specified in section 616.
620.2 WIDTH: The width shall be not less than forty (40) inches be-
tween guards and the moving tread shall be not less than thirty-six
(36) inches in width, and fifteen and three-quarter (15-3/4) inches
in depth.
620.3 CAPACITY: The occupancy capacity shall be computed as provided
in section 608 for exitway stairways.
620.4 LANDINGS AND PLATFORMS: Landings and platforms shall be pro-
vided at the top and bottom of each unit as required for interior
exitway stairways.
620.5 RAILINGS: Guards shall be surmounted with moving handrails
traveling at the same speed as the stairway.
6-26
620.6 EGRESS: Means of egress to the street shall be provided as
specified herein for interior stairways except that in mercantile
buildings completely equipped with a two-source automatic sprinkler
system moving stairways may be accepted for one-third (1/3) the total
required exit capacity when discharging through the main grade floor
area.
620.7 CONSTRUCTION
620.71 NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS: Only noncombustible materials shall
be used in the construction of moving stairways accepted as a required
means of egress except for step wheels, handrails, electrical equip-
ment, and wood veneers not more than one twenty-eighth (1/28) inch
thick directly attached to metal or other noncombustible backing with
a nonvolatile and nonflammable cement.
620.72 FIRERESISTANCE: The enclosure shall afford the f ireresistance
required for approved interior exitway stairways as specified in sec-
tion 616.9.
620.73 HEIGHT OF TRAVEL PER UNIT: No single moving stairway unit shall
have a vertical travel height of more than two (2) stories nor more than
thirty-five (35) feet.
SECTION 621.0 FIRE ESCAPES
621.1 WHERE PERMITTED: Fire escapes shall be permitted only by spec-
ial order of the building official, in existing buildings or struc-
tures not exceeding five (5) stories or sixty-five (65) feet in height,
and when more adequate exitway facilities cannot be provided.
621.2 CONSTRUCTION: The fire escape shall be designed to support a
live load of one hundred (100) pounds per square foot and shall be con-
structed of steel or other approved noncombustible materials, except as
specified in sections 621.24 and 621.25. All fire escapes of other
than wood, and any wood fire escape three (3) stories or higher, must
have drawings and specifications submitted by a qualified registered
professional engineer with his seal and signature, which include sup-
porting structures.
621.21 DIMENSIONS: The width of the stairs shall be as specified in
621.22, but in any case shall be at least twenty-two (22) inches wide.
Risers will be not more than eight (8) inches in height and treads
not less than eight (8) inches in depth. Landings shall be a mini-
miam of forty (40) inches wide by thirty-six (36) inches long, located
not more than eight (8) inches below the access window or door.
621.22 CAPACITY: The capacity will provide for the intended occupancy
load as designated by the building official and determined by section
608.1, but in no case may the width be less than twenty-two (22) in-
ches. The width will be adequate to provide for the number of occupants.
6-27
621.23 OPENING PROTECTIVES: Doors and windows along the fire escape
shall be protected with three-quarter (3/4) hour opening protectives
in other than residence buildings of use groups L-2 and L-3.
621. 2A OUTSIDE FIRE LIMITS: On buildings not over three (3) stories
nor more than forty (40) feet in height located outside the fire lim-
its, accommodating not more than twenty (20) persons, fire escapes
may be constructed of wood or other approved material of similar com-
bustible characteristics.
621.25 WITHIN FIRE LIMITS: Within Fire District No. 2, fire escapes
may be constructed of wood not less than two (2) inches thick on
buildings of type 3 or type 4 construction which are not more than
three (3) stories in height.
SECTION 622.0 SLIDESCAPES
Slidescapes and safety chutes shall be permitted in buildings of the
high hazard use group and in existing school and institutional build-
ings as emergency means of egress when unusual conditions warrant, as
approved by the building official.
622.1 LOCATION: The arrangement and location of slidescapes shall
conform to this article for means of egress and shall be designated
by exit signs and lights as provided in section 624.
622.2 CONSTRUCTION: All chutes shall be constructed of approved non-
combustible materials with a pitch in the line of travel of not less
than twenty-four (24) nor more than forty- two (42) degrees measured
on the developed circumference of spiral chutes. Straight chutes
shall be not less than twenty-four (24) inches and spiral chutes
not less than twenty-eight (28) inches wide in the clear; nor more
than forty-four (44) inches wide in any case. When erected on the
interior of a building, they shall be enclosed as required in section
616.9 for interior stairways with direct means of egress to the street
or other public space.
622.3 EXTENSION TO ROOF: Where constituting a supplemental means of
egress from roofs, all slidescapes and chutes shall extend to the roof
as required for exitway stairways in section 617.
SECTION 623.0 EXITWAY SIGNS AND LIGHTS
623.1 SIZE AND LOCATION: Except in one- and two-family dwellings
(L-3) , and in exitways serving only three or fewer dwelling units in
L-2 multi-family dwelling uses, all required exitways shall be pro-
vided with exit signs sufficient in number to indicate at any
point in the required exitway the approved direction of egress dis-
charge. Such signs shall incorporate an approved symbol to ensure
understanding by non-English reading people and, if so desired, the
6-28
word "EXIT," Such symbol and lettering shall be at least six (6) inches
in height. Such signs shall have either red outlines on a white background
or the reverse, and shall be made of noncombustible material. All required
exit signs shall be illuminated in conformance with section 623.2. All
types of exit signs must be approved for use in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts by the State Building Code Commission.
623.2 ILLUMINATION: Lighting of all required "EXIT" signs will be
adequate and of a character to ensure that the signs can be easily read
under normal conditions wherever the building or area served is occupied.
The level of light provided on the exposed face of the sign shall be at
least twenty-five (25) foot candles or the equivalent.
623.21 POWER LEVELS: All "EXITWAY" signs shall be illuminated at all
times when the building or area is occupied, by a power source which can
be sustained at the required level for a period of at least the fire
rating of the exitway at all times and provide power independent of the
failure of any other circuit or source of power. Fire suppression
systems incorporating an independent power source required by article 12
may serve as the independent power source for exitway signs and lights.
SECTION 624.0 EXITWAY LIGHTS
624.1 ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING: In all structures except one and two-family
dwellings, all stairways, exitways and passageways appurtenant thereto
shall be equipped with artificial lighting facilities to provide the
intensity of illumination herein prescribed continuously during the time
that conditions of occupancy of the building require that the exitways
be available. All means of egress in other than one and two-family
dwellings shall be equipped with artificial lighting facilities to
provide the intensity of illumination herein prescribed continuously
during the time that conditions of occupancy of the building require
that the exitways be available. In schoolhouses switches controlling
these facilities shall not be accessible to the public; a key switch
shall be considered meeting this requirement.
624.2 INTENSITY OF ILLUMINATION: The intensity of floor lighting shall
be not less than three (3) foot candles measured at floor level and
maintained everywhere along the required exitway. There shall be ade-
quate overlap of illumination sources to ensure that no area will be
left in darkness due to the failure of a light element.
624.3 PLACES OF ASSEMBLY: In places of assembly for the exhibition of
motion pictures or other projections by means of directed light, the
illumination of floors of exitway access areas may be reduced during
such period of projection to not less than one (1) foot candle.
624.4 INDEPENDENT POWER SOURCE: Emergency lights shall be provided
with a power system ensuring continuous lighting at all times required
in section 624.1 and incorporating a power source which can be sustained
at the level specified in section 624.2 for a period of at least one and
one-half (1^) hours, or as required by section 623.21 for cases in
excess of one and one-half (1^) hours, and provide power at all times
and independently of the failure of any other circuit or source of
power. The independent power source may be the same required by article
12 for fire suppression systems.
fi-?q
624.41 POWER LEVELS: The power system shall be designed to ensure
that whenever the voltage of the normal service falls below fifty (50)
percent of nominal lamp voltage, emergency lighting service is in-
stantly transferred to the independent power source. The service may
be transferred back to the normal supply when that supply can provide
at least eighty (80) percent of the nominal lamp voltage.
624.5 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: The building official may require
that all plans and specifications for emergency lighting be submitted
by a registered professional engineer qualified by background in the
design of such electrical circuits, and such plans and specifications
shall have the seal and signature of the registered professional en-
gineer certifying that the required systems are in compliance with the
requirements of this Code.
6-30
Reference Standards - Article 6
NFPA 101 1967 Life Safety Code
NFPA 101 1967 Life Safety Code
NFPA 101 1973 Life Safety Code
6-31
ARTICLE 7
STRUCTURAL AND FOUNDATION
LOADS AND STRESSES
SECTION 700.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall control the structural design of
all buildings and structures and their foundations hereafter erected to
insure adequate strength of all parts thereof for the safe support of
all superimposed live and special loads in addition to their own dead
load, without exceeding the allowable stresses or design capabilities
prescribed in this Code or by accepted engineering practice.
SECTION 701.0 DEFINITIONS
CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION: the construction of a building or structure or
a specific part thereof which has been designated and erected under the
supervision of a licensed or registered engineer or architect using con-
trolled materials as herein defined in compliance with accepted engi-
neering practice under the procedure of section 128.0.
CONTROLLED MATERIALS: materials which are certified by an accredited
authoritative agency as meeting accepted engineering standards for
quality and as provided in sections 722 and 800.
FORMED STEEL CONSTRUCTION: that type of construction used in floor and
roof systems consisting of integrated units of sheet or strip steel
plates which are shaped into parallel steel ribs or beams with a con-
tinuous connecting flange deck; generally attached to and supported on
the pi*imary or secondary members of a structural steel or reinforced
concrete frame.
FOUNDATION WALL: a wall below the floor nearest grade serving as a sup-
port for a wall, pier, column or other structural part of a building.
LIGHT GAGE STEEL CONSTRUCTION: that type of construction in which the
structural frame consists of studs, floor joists, arch ribs, rafters,
steel decks and other structural elements which are composed and
fabricated of cold-formed sheet or strip steel members less than three-
sixteenths (3/16) inch thick.
7-1
LOAD
-DEAD LOAD: the weight of all permanent construction including walls,
floors, roofs, partitions, stairways and of fixed service equipment.
-DURATION OF LOAD: the period of continuous application of a given
load, or the aggregate of periods of intermittent application of
the same load.
-EARTHQUAKE LOAD: the assumed lateral load acting in any horizontal
direction on the structural frame due to the kinetic action of earth-
quakes.
-IMPACT LOAD: the load resulting from moving machinery, elevators,
craneways, vehicles, and other similar forces and kinetic loads.
-LATERAL SOIL LOAD: the lateral pressure in pounds per square foot due
to the weight of the adjacent soil, including due allowance for hydro-
static pressure.
-LIVE LOAD: the weight superimposed by the use and occupancy of the
building, not including the wind load, earthquake load, or dead load.
-WIND LOAD: the lateral pressure on the building or structure in
pounds per square foot due to wind blowing in any direction.
ORDINARY MATERIALS: materials which do not conform to the require-
ments of the Basic Code for controlled materials.
PRIMARY MEMBER: any member of the structural frame of a building or
structure used as a column; grillage beam; or to support masonry
walls and partitions; including trusses, isolated lintels spanning
an opening of eight (8) feet or more; and any other member required
to brace a column of a truss.
SECONDARY MEMBER: any member of the structural framework other than
a primary member including filling-in beams of floor systems.
STEEL JOIST: any secondary steel member of a building or structure
made of hot or cold-formed solid or open-web sections, or riveted or
welded bar, strip or sheet steel members or slotted and expanded or
otherwise deformed rolled sections.
STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBER: any primary or secondary member of a build-
ing or structure consisting of a rolled steel structural shape other
than formed steel, light gage steel or steel joist members.
SECTION 702.0 DESIGN SAFE LOAD
702.1 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS: The safe load for any structural member or
system of construction shall be determined by accepted engineering an-
alysis except as provided in sections 703 and 803 for tests of assemblies
not capable of analysis.
7-2
702.2 CHECK TESTS: When there is reasonable doubt as to the design
capacity of any structural unit or assembly, the building official
may require that tests be made of such unit or assembly under the
supervision of a qualified registered professional engineer. Such
tests shall be made by an approved testing facility and personnel,
and the procedures and results of such tests shall be signed and
stamped by the said designated qualified registered professional
engineer .
SECTION 703.0 TEST SAFE LOAD
703.1 WHEN REQUIRED: When not capable of being accurately analyzed,
any system of construction or structural unit and its connections
shall be subjected to tests prescribed in article 8 or in the test
standards of this article or article 8, or to such other tests which
may be certified by a qualified registered professional engineer as
being acceptable for providing the information required. Any tests
performed shall be conducted as required by the provisions of section
702.2 for testing.
703.2 TEST LOAD: The test load shall be subject to the provisions
of section 804.1 and where applicable, deflections shall be limited
as provided in section 804.2.
SECTION 704.0 DESIGN LIVE LOAD
704.1 REQUIRED LIVE LOAD: The live loads to be assumed in the
design of buildings and structures shall be the greatest load produced
by the intended use and occupancy, but in no case less than the
minimum uniformly distributed unit loads required in section 707 for
specific uses.
704.2 LOADS NOT SPECIFIED: The building official shall approve the
live load for any use not specif icially provided for in Table 7-1.
SECTION 705.0 DESIGN DEAD LOAD
705.1 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: In estimating dead load for the
purposes of structural design, the actual weights of materials shall
be used, but in no case less than the unit dead loads prescribed in
the reference standards of this article.
705.2 SERVICE EQUIPMENT: The weight of all building service equip-
ment including plumbing stacks, heating and air conditioning equipment
and similar fixtures shall be included in the dead load supported by
the structural frame.
7-3
705.3 PARTITION LOAD: In office and other buildings, in which sub-
dividing partitions may be subsequently erected, rearranged or relocated,
provision shall be made to support the actual weight of such partitions
where they occur, or for an equivalent uniform load, which shall be
assumed not less than twenty (20) pounds per square foot of floor area,
in addition to the specified uniformly distributed live load. Provision
for partitions weight shall be made whether or not partitions are shown
on the plans, unless the specified live load exceeds eighty (80) pounds
per square foot.
SECTION 706.0 EXISTING BUILDINGS
In the reconstruction, repair, extension or alteration of existing
buildings, the allowable working stresses used in design shall be as
follows:
706.1 BUILDING EXTENDED: When an existing building is altered by an
extension in height or area, all existing structural parts affected by
the addition shall be strengthened where necessary and all new structural
parts shall be designed to meet the requirements for buildings hereafter
erected.
706.2 BUILDING REPAIRED: When repairs are made to the structural
portion of an existing building, and the uncovered structural portions
are found unsound, such parts shall be made to conform to the require-
ments for buildings hereafter erected.
706.3 EXISTING LIVE LOAD: When an existing building heretofore approved
is altered or repaired within the limitations prescribed in sections
106.3 or 106.4, the structure may be designed for the loads and stresses
applicable at the time of erection, provided the public safety is not
endangered thereby.
706.4 POSTED LIVE LOAD: Any existing building heretofore approved, in
which there is no change in use to a new use group requiring greater
floor loads, may be posted for the originally approved live loads,
provided the building is structurally safe in all its parts and adequate
for its existing use, and the public safety is not endangered thereby.
SECTION 707.0 UNIT LIVE LOADS
The plans for all buildings and structures intended for other than
residential uses shall specify the live and partition loads for which
each floor or part thereof has been designed.
707.1 UNIFORM LIVE LOAD: The minimum uniformly distributed live load
in pounds per square foot shall be as .provided in Table 7-1 and for all
concentrated loads wherever they occur as provided in section 708.
7-4
TABLE 7-1 MINIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LIVE LOADS
OCCUPANCY OR USE
LIVE LOAD (PSF)
Apartments (see Residential)
Armories and drill rooms 150
Assembly halls and other places of assembly:
Fixed seats 60
Movable seats 100
Platforms (assembly) 100
Balcony (exterior) 100
One- and two-family residences only and not exceeding
100 sq. ft. 60
Bowling Alleys, poolrooms, and similar recreational areas 75
Cornices 60
Corridors :
First Floor 100
Other Floors, same as occupancy served except as
indicated
Court Rooms 100
Dance halls and ballrooms 100
Dining rooms and restaurants 100
Dwellings (see Residential)
Elevator Machine Room 150
Fire escapes 100
On multi- or single-family residential buildings only 40
Garages (passenger cars only) 50
For trucks and buses use AASHTO (1) land loads (see
table 7-2 for concentrated load requirements
Grandstands (see Reviewing stands)
Gymnasiums, main floors and balconies 100
Hospitals
Operating rooms, laboratories 60
Private rooms 40
Wards 40
Corridors, above first floor 80
Hotels (see Residential)
Libraries:
Reading rooms 60
Stack rooms (books & shelving at 65 pcf) but not
less than 150
Corridors, above first floor 80
Manufacturing :
Light 125
Heavy 250
Marquees 75
Office Buildings:
Offices 50
Lobbies 100
Corridors, above first floor 80
File and computer rooms require heavier loads based
upon anticipated occupancy
7-5
TABLE 7-1
OCCUPANCY USE LIVE LOAD (PSF)
Open parking structures (passenger cars only) 50
Penal institutions:
Cell blocks 40
Corridors 100
Residential:
Multi-family houses:
Private apartments 40
Public rooms 100
Corridors 80
Dwellings :
First Floor 40
Second floor and habitable attics 30
Uninhabitable attics (2) 20
Hotels:
Guest rooms 40
Public rooms 100
Corridors serving public rooms 100
Corridors 80
Reviewing stands and bleachers (3) 100
Schoolhouses:
Classrooms 50
Corridors 100
Flexible and open plan areas 100
Sidewalks, vehicular driveways, and yards, subject to
trucking 250
Skating rinks 100
Stairs and exitways 100
Storage warehouse:
Light 125
Heavy 250
Stores:
Retail:
First floor, rooms 100
Upper floors 75
Wholesale 125
Theatres:
Aisles, corridors and lobbies 100
Orchestra floors 60
Balconies 60
Stage floors 150
Yards and terraces, pedestrians 100
7-6
TABLE 7-1
NOTES :
1) American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
2) Live load need be applied to joists or to bottom chords of
trusses or trussed rafters only in those portions of attic
space having a clear height of forty-two (42) inches or more
between joist and rafter in conventional rafter construction;
and between bottom chord and any other member in trussed or
trussed rafter construction. However, joists or the bottom
chords or trusses or trussed rafters shall be designed to
sustain the imposed dead load or ten pounds per square foot
(10 psf) whichever be greater, uniformly distributed over
the entire span.
3) For detailed recommendations, see the Standard for Tents, Grand-
stands and Air-Supported Structures Used for Places of Assem-
bly, NFPA 102, 1971.
4) Deflections for floors in areas of public assembly shall be
limited to 1/360 the span.
7-7
707.2 POSTING OF LIVE LOADS: In every building or other structure or
part thereof, used for mechanical, business, industrial or storage
purposes, the design and partition loads shall be marked on plates of
approved design which shall be supplied and securely affixed by the
owner of the building in a conspicuous place in each space to which they
relate. Any plates lost, removed or defaced shall be replaced by the
owner.
SECTION 708.0 CONCENTRATED LOADS
Floors of buildings used as specified in Table 7-2 shall be designed
to support the uniformly distributed live loads prescribed in Table 7-1
or the following concentrated loads in pounds, whichever produces the
greater stresses. Unless otherwise specified, the indicated concen-
tration shall be assumed to occupy an area of two and one-half (2 1/2)
feet square and shall be so located as to produce the maximum stress
conditions in the structural members.
Floors of schoolhouses used as specified in Table 7-2 shall be designed
to support the uniformly distributed live loads prescribed in Table 7-1
following concentrated loads in pounds whichever produces the greater
stresses. Unless otherwise specified, the indicated concentration shall
be assumed to occupy an area of two and one-half (2-1/2) feet square,
and shall be so located as to produce the maximum stress conditions in
the structural members; except that in steel joist construction, bridged
in accordance with the requirements of section 829, the specified
concentration shall be assumed as distributed over three (3) of the
secondary members and each individual joist shall be capable of sustaining
a concentrated load of eight hundred (800) pounds at the panel point.
TABLE 7-2 CONCENTRATED LOADS
LOCATION POUNDS
Elevator machine room grating (on area of 4 square inches) 300
Finish light floor plate construction (on area of 1 square
inch) 200
Garages (1)
Manufacturing and Storage Buildings (2)
Office Floors 2000
Scuttles, skylight ribs and accessible ceilings 200
Sidewalks 8000
Stair treads (on area of 4 square inches at center of tread) 300
Note 1: Floors in garages or portions of buildings used for storage of
motor vehicles shall be designed for the uniformly distributed
live loads of Table 7-1 or for the following concentrated
loads:
a) for passenger cars accommodating not more than nine (9)
passengers, two thousand (2000) pounds acting on an area
of twenty (20) square inches;
b) mechanical parking structures without slab or deck,
passenger cars only, fifteen hundred (1500) pounds
per wheel;
7-8
c) for trucks or buses, maximum wheel load on an area of
twenty (20) square inches.
Note 2: For buildings in which mechanical material handling equipment
will be utilized, the structural floor slab shall be designed
for the actual concentrated loads.
SECTION 709.0 IMPACT LOADS
The live loads specified in section 707 shall be assumed to include
adequate allowance for ordinary impact conditions. Provision shall be
made in the structural design for special uses and loads which involve
vibration and impact forces.
709.1 ELEVATORS: All moving elevator loads shall be increased one
hundred (100) percent for impact and the structural supports shall be
designed within the limits of deflection as specified in the Department
of Public Safety, Board of Elevator Regulations ELV-2.
709.2 MACHINERY: For the purpose of design, the weight of machinery
and moving loads shall be increased as follows, to allow for impact:
TYPE OF MACHINERY PERCENTAGE
Elevator Machinery 100
Light machinery, shaft or motor driven 20
Reciprocating machinery or power driven units 50
Hangers for floors or balconies 33
These percentages shall be increased when so recommended by the manufacturer.
709.3 CRANEWAYS: All craneways shall have their design loads increased
for impact as follows :
a) a vertical force equal to twenty-five (25) percent of the
maximum wheel load;
b) a lateral force equal to twenty (20) percent of the weight
of the trolley and lifted load only, applied one-half (1/2)
at the top of each rail; and
c) a longitudinal force of ten (10) percent of the maximum
wheel loads of the crane applied at top of rail.
709.4 ASSEMBLY STRUCTURES: Grandstands, stadiums and similar assembly
structures shall be designed to resist a horizontal swaying load applied
parallel to the rows of seats, in addition to any wind loads, of not
less than twenty-four (24) pounds per lineal foot of seats per row; and
of not less than ten (10) pounds per lineal foot of seats applied transversely.
7-9
SECTION 710.0 SPECIAL LOADS
Provisions shall be made for all special loads herein prescribed and
all other special loads to which the building or structure may be sub-
jected. In addition to the requirements of section 711, the following
requirements shall also apply.
710.1 BELOW GRADE: All retaining walls and other walls below grade
shall be designed to resist lateral soil pressures with due allowance
for hydrostatic pressure and for all superimposed vertical loads.
710.2 HYDROSTATIC UPLIFT: All foundation slabs and other footings
subjected to water pressure shall be designed to resist a uniformly
distributed uplift equal to the full hydrostatic pressure.
710.3 RAILINGS: Railings around stairwells, balconies and other floor
openings, both exterior and interior, shall be designed to resist a load
of at least two hundred (200) pounds applied in any direction at any
point of the top rail, and also a vertical and a horizontal thrust of
fifty (50) pounds per lineal foot applied at the top railing. The
concentrated load and distributed loads need not be assumed to act
concurrently. Railings and guards of grandstands and similar assembly
structures shall be capable of resisting a lateral force of fifty (50)
pounds per lineal foot and sustaining a vertical load of one hundred
(100) pounds per lineal foot.
710.4 CONSTRUCTION LOADS AND ERECTION STRESSES: Provision shall be
made for temporary construction and wind loads which may occur during
the erection of the building; and all structural members and connections
shall be designed and erected so as to prevent overstressing during
construction.
710.5 The following requirements shall apply only to schoolhouses:
710.51 TEMPERATURE LOADS: The design of enclosed buildings more than
two hundred fifty (250) feet in plan dimension shall provide for the
forces and/or movements resulting from an assumed expansion corresponding
to a change in temperatures of 40° F. For exterior exposed frames, arches
or shells regardless of plan dimensions, the design shall provide for the
forces and/or movements resulting from an assumed expansion and contraction
corresponding to an increase or decrease in temperature of 50° F.
For determining required anchorage for piping, the forces shall be determine
on the basis of temperature variations for the specific service conditions.
Friction forces in expansion bearings shall be considered.
SECTION 711.0 ROOF LOADS
The structural supports of roofs shall be designed to resist wind and
where applicable, snow and earthquake loads in addition to the dead load
of the construction and the appropriate live loads specified in Table 7-1.
711.1 SNOW LOAD as provided in section 712.0.
711.12 WIND LOAD as provided in section 715.0.
711.13 EARTHQUAKE LOAD as provided in section 718.0.
711.2 MINIMUM ROOF LOADS: Ordinary roofs, either flat, pitched or
curved, shall be designed for the live loads as specified in Table 7-3.
7-10
TABLE 7-3 MINIMUM ROOF LIVE LOADS*
ROOF SLOPE
TRIBUTARY LOADED AREA
in SQUARE FEET for ANY
STRUCTURAL MEMBER
to 200
201 to 600 Over 600
Flat or rise less than 4
inches per foot
Arch or dome with rise
less than 1/8 of span
20
16
12
Rise 4 inches per foot to less
than 12 inches per foot 16
Arch or dome with rise 1/8 of
span to less than 3/8 of span
14
12
Rise 12 inches per foot and
greater
Arch or dome with rise 3/8 of
span or greater
12
12
12
*In pound-force per square foot of horizontal projection.
711.3 OVERHANGING EAVES: In other than one and two-family dwellings
and except where framing of overhang is a continuation of the roof
framing, overhanging eaves, cornices and other roof projections shall
be designed for a minimum uniformly distributed live load of sixty
(60) pounds per square foot.
711.4 PONDING: Roofs shall be designed for the maximum possible
depth of water that may be ponded thereon as determined by the relative
levels of roof deck and overflow weirs, scuppers, edges or serviceable
drains in combination with the deflected structural elements.
711.5 SPECIAL PURPOSE ROOFS: When used for incidental promenade
purposes, roofs shall be designed for a minimum live load of sixty
(60) pounds per square foot; and one hundred (100) pounds per square
foot when designed for roof gardens or assembly uses.
7-11
711.51 LANDSCAPED ROOFS: Where roofs are to be landscaped, the design
live load shall be the sum of the appropriate uniform live load and the
landscaping load shall be considered as a dead load and shall be
computed on the basis of saturation of the soil.
SECTION 712.0 SNOW LOAD
The basic snow loads to be assumed in the design of buildings or
other structures are given in figure 7-1 of the reference standards
of this article.
712.1 DESIGN SNOW LOAD: The map snow loads of figure 7-1 shall be
used as the basis for deriving design snow loads for all buildings.
Where exceptional conditions can be cited as applying to a particular
region, the snow load requirements may be altered by the building
official upon approval by the State Building Code Commission.
712.2 ROOF SNOW LOADS: The minimum snow loads for the design of
ordinary and multiple series roofs, either flat, pitched or curved,
shall be determined from figures 7-2a, 7-2b, 7-2c, 7-3a, 7-3b, 7-4
as applicable. The analysis incorporating snow loading shall be
based on the conditions providing the most unfavorable loading result.
SECTION 713.0 WIND LOAD
The structural frame of all buildings, signs, tanks or other exposed
structures or parts of structures shall be designed to resist the
horizontal pressures due to wind in any direction, both inwardly and
outwardly, allowing for suction on the leeward side, as provided in
sections 714 to 716 inclusive.
7-12
713.1 TORSIONAL RESISTANCE: The structural frame of all buildings
and structures subjected to wind or other lateral loads shall be
designed to resist the torsional moment due to eccentricity of the
resultant load with respect to the center of rigidity of the structure.
SECTION 714.0 WIND ON VERTICAL SURFACES
The total wind pressures on vertical surfaces of ordinary buildings
and structures to be considered in the design of primary members shall
be in conformity with the following tables :
Exposure A
Height (ft.) Zone 1
Pressure P
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Less than 30 10
10
10
12
30
10
50
10
100
12
150
14
200
16
250
18
300
20
350
22
400
23
450
25
500
26
550
27
600
28
650
29
700
30
750
31
800
32
Exposure A:
Cent*
Exposure B
Less than 30
10
30
13
50
16
100
19
150
22
200
23
250
26
300
27
10
12
16
18
21
23
26
28
30
31
33
35
36
38
40
41
42
12
14
19
23
27
30
33
35
38
40
42
44
46
47
50
52
54
14
17
23
27
34
36
40
44
46
49
52
55
58
59
62
65
66
Centers of large cities and very rough, hilly terrain.
Pressure P
13
17
19
25
28
31
34
36
17
21
25
31
36
40
43
45
21
26
31
39
44
50
53
56
7-13
Exposure B
Height (ft.) Zone 1
Pressure P
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
350
28
400
30
450
31
500
32
550
34
600
35
650
36
700
37
750
38
800
39
Exposure B:
Subu:
38
40
41
43
44
45
47
48
50
51
48
51
52
55
56
57
60
61
62
64
59
63
65
66
68
71
74
75
76
80
Suburban areas, towns, city outskirts, wooded areas and
rolling terrain.
Exposure C
Less than 30
14
30
21
50
23
100
30
150
33
200
34
250
35
300
36
350
38
400
39
450
40
500
41
550
42
600
43
650
44
700
45
750
46
800
46
Exposure C:
Flat
Pressure P
20
26
27
35
31
40
36
45
39
51
43
53
47
56
48
58
49
61
51
62
52
63
53
65
54
67
55
69
56
70
57
71
58
72
59
73
34
43
50
57
62
66
68
72
75
76
79
80
83
85
86
87
88
90
Flat open country, open flat coastal belts and grasslands.
Zone 1 consists of the Counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire
and Hampden.
Zone 2 consists of the County of Worcester.
Zone 3 consists of the Counties of Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk,
Plymouth and Bristol .
Zone 4 consists of the Counties of Essex, Barnstable, Dukes and
Nantucket .
7-14
714.1 DISTRIBUTION OF WIND FORCES: The total wind pressure (section
714.0) shall be distributed between opposite walls, two-thirds (2/3) as
normal pressure on the windward side and one-third (1/3) as normal
outward suction on the leeward side.
714.2 EXTERIOR SECONDARY WALL FRAMING AND WALL PANELS: Internal wind
pressure or suction of thirty (30) percent of the prescribed pressures
in section 714.1 shall be assumed to occur simultaneously with the
external pressures in section 714.3 and 714.4.
714.3 AN EXTERNAL PRESSURE or suction to be considered in the design of
secondary wall framing and wall panels and sheathing and their con-
nections shall be one and one-half (1 1/2) times those in accordance
with section 714.0 except at corners of all walls.
714.4 AT CORNERS OF ALL WALLS, the external suction to be considered in
the design of secondary wall framing and wall panels and sheathing and
their connections shall be two (2) times those in accordance with
section 714.0. The suction shall be assumed to act on a vertical strip
of width one-tenth (1/10) the least width of the building.
714.5 ROOFS OVER NON- ENCLOSED STRUCTURES: Roofs over non-enclosed
structures shall be designed to resist wind loads in accordance with
standard engineering practice and the reference standards of this
article.
715.0 WIND LOAD ON ROOFS
The external wind pressures and suctions specified in sections 715.1
and 715.2 shall be considered in the design of primary roof framing and
trusses.
External wind pressures and suctions to be considered in the design
of secondary roof framing, purlins, roof panels and sheathing and their
connections shall be one and one-half (1 1/2) times those determined in
accordance with those sections. Internal pressures to be considered in
the design of secondary roof framing and roof panels and sheathing and
their connections shall be those specified in section 714.2 for wall
elements.
715.1 PITCHED ROOFS: External wind forces on roofs, assumed to be
acting upon primary roof framing members shall be not less than the
following-listed fractions of the values specified in section 714.0, and
shall be based on the average height of the roof eave above grade, the
slope of the roof at the location under consideration and the ratio of
sidewall height to building width.
7-15
EXTERNAL WIND PRESSURE ON ROOFS
FLAT
ROOFS
WINDWARD
SLOPE OF ROOFS
LEEWARD SLOPE
Ratio of
Sidewall
Height to
Building
Width
LESS THAN
1:12
1:12 to
4.05:12
405:12
to
6:12
6:12 to
12:12
ALL SLOPES
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0 or more
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.60
-.06
-.33
-.49
-.57
-.60
.12
.01
-.20
-.30
-.39
.19
.09
-.06
-.18
-.28
-.50
-.50
-.50
-.50
-.50
For all roof surfaces having a slope greater than 12:12 the same
wind forces as for vertical surfaces shall be assumed.
715.2 CURVED ROOFS: The external wind forces assumed to be acting
upon the primary framing members in the windward quarter of curved
roofs shall be not less than the wind pressure specified in section
714.0 multiplied by the rise-to-span ratio of the entire roof arch,
and shall be considered as acting as an inward acting pressure. An
external suction of not less than seven-tenths (7/10) of the pressure
specified in section 714.0 shall be assumed to be acting upon the
center half of all arch roofs and an external suction of not less
than six-tenths (6/10) of such pressures shall be assumed to be acting
upon the leeward quarter of all such roofs. All wind pressures acting
upon curved roofs shall be considered as acting normal to the chord
of the curved section under consideration.
715.3 TEST DETERMINATION: With the approval of the building official,
wind force on a building may be based on shape coefficients obtained
from wind tunnel tests of models or by other approved methods. Such
shape coefficients shall include the full effect of openings in wall
or roof surfaces. In such cases the velocity pressure "q" to be
used at any height shall be taken as .77 P.
715.4 ANCHORAGE: Roof framing shall be anchored to wall framing and
the walls to foundations so as to resist wind uplift and sliding in
excess of seventy-five (75) percent of the dead load resistance.
715.5 UPLIFT ON EAVES: Overhanging eaves, cornices and other local
projections shall be designed and constructed to withstand an
upward pressure of 1.5 P.
7-16
SECTION 716.0 WIND LOADS ON SIGNS, TANK AND RADIO TOWERS, CHIMNEYS
AND OTHER BUILDING APPURTENANCES
Minimum wind pressures to be used in the design of these and other
building appurtenances .shall be determined using the value of P as
specified in section 714.0.
716.1 SIGNS AND TOWERS: The wind pressure on ground signs and towers
other than radio and television towers, and their supports or portions
thereof having seventy-five (75) percent or more of solid surface shall
be assumed at 1.2 P and having less than seventy-five (75) percent of
solid surface shall be 1,6 P of net exposed area of the structure
normal to the direction of the wind.
716.2 ROOF STRUCTURES: The wind pressure on roof signs, tank towers,
stacks, chimney and other exposed roof structures with plane surfaces
shall be assumed at 1.6 P applied to the net projected area of the
structure normal to the direction of the wind except as provided in
sections 716.3 and 716.4.
716.3 SHIELDING EFFECT: No shielding effect of one element by another
shall be considered when the distance between them exceeds four (4)
times the projected smallest dimension of the windward element.
716.4 EFFECT OF SHAPE: The wind pressure on circular tanks, stacks
or other circular structures shall be assiamed at 0.7 P applied to the
projected area; and for hexagonal or octagonal structures, 1,0 P.
716.41 SPECIAL SHAPES: For special shaped structures such as spheres,
guys, cables, solid girders, the design wind pressure shall be deter-
mined as provided for in section 715.3.
SECTION 717.0 OVERTURNING AND SLIDING
The overturning moment due to the wind load on all structures shall
not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the moment of stability resulting
from the dead load of the building, unless the building or structure is
anchored to resist the excess overturning moment and the excess horizontal
shear over sliding friction.
7-17
SECTION 718,0 EARTHQUAKE LOAD
Provisions of section 718 reflect informed judgments regarding the
probable intensities of future earthquake ground motions in this
region, and their associated probabilities of occurrence. The
objective of these provisions is to protect life safety by limiting
structural failure.
718.1 GENERAL
a) every building or structure and every portion thereof shall
be designed and constructed to resist stresses produced by
lateral forces as provided in this section, except detached
one and two-family dwellings and minor accessory buildings.
Stresses shall be calculated as the effect of a force applied
horizontally at each floor or roof level or to building parts
above the foundation. The force shall be assumed to come
from any horizontal direction.
b) every building or structure and every portion designed and
constructed to resist stresses produced by lateral forces
as provided in this section shall be constructed and in-
spected in accordance with the rules and regulations prom-
ulgated by the State Building Code Commission.
718.2 DEFINITIONS: The following definitions apply only to the
provisions of this section.
BOX SYSTEM: a structural system where the vertical load is carried
by bearing walls and structural framing and where the lateral
stability and lateral force resisting system consists of shear
walls or braced frames.
BRACED FRAME: a vertical truss or its equivalent which is pro-
vided to resist lateral forces in which the members are subjected
primarily to axial stresses.
CLASS A SOIL: includes all the classes of soil and rock enumerated
in section 723.4.
CLASS A SOIL SITE:
a) a site composed exclusively of Class A soil, or
b) a site where Class A soil overlies or includes Class B soil,
provided that the depth below foundation level to the upper-
most Class B soil and the cumulative thickness of Class B
soil meet the criteria in Figure 7-9.
CLASS B SOIL: includes all classes of soil not qualifying as
Class A soil.
CLASS B SOIL SITE: any site which does not meet the criteria for
Class A soil site.
7-17A
DUAL BRACING SYSTEM: consists of a moment resisting space frame
and shear walls which meet the following design criteria:
a) the space frame and shear walls shall resist the total lateral
force in accordance with their relative rigidities considering
the interaction of the shear walls and space frame.
b) the shear walls acting independently of the resisting portions
of .the space frame shall resist the total lateral force.
c) the resisting space frame shall have the capacity to resist
not less than twenty-five (25) percent of the total lateral
force.
FOUNDATION LEVEL: the lowest of any of the following:
a) the bottom of any spread or combined footing or foundation
mat;
b) the bottom of any pile cap;
c) the top of any pier or caisson.
LATERAL FORCE RESISTING SYSTEM: that part of the structural system
to which the total lateral forces prescribed in section 718.4 are
assigned.
LIQUEFACTION: a term used to describe a group of phenomena
occurring in saturated cohesionless sandy and silty soils con-
sisting of a large decrease in effective stress (total stress
minus pore pressure) accompanied by large deformations under
either static or cyclic loading. The term cyclic mobility should
also be included within the scope of the definition of liquefac-
tion.
MOMENT-RESISTING SPACE FRAME: a space frame designed to carry all
vertical loads and in which the members and joints are capable
of resisting design lateral forces by bending moments.
SHEAR WALL: a wall designed to resist lateral forces parallel to
the wall.
SPACE FRAME: a three-dimensional structural system composed of
interconnected members, other than bearing walls, designed to
function as a complete self-contained laterally stable unit with
or without the aid of horizontal diaphragms or floor bracing
systems.
718.3 SYMBOLS AND NOTATIONS: The following symbols and notations
apply only to the provisions of this section:
C = Numerical coefficient for base shear as specified in section
719.4.
7-17B
Cp = Numerical coefficient as specified in section 718.4 and as
set forth in Table 7-3b.
D = The dimension of the building in feet in a direction parallel
to the applied forces.
D = The plan dimension of the vertical lateral force resisting
system in feet.
Fx = Lateral force applied to level i, n, or x, respectively.
Fp = Lateral force on the part of the structure and in the direc-
tion under consideration.
Fj. = That portion of V considered concentrated at the top of the
structure, at the level n. The remaining portion of the
total base shear V shall be distributed over the height of
the structure including level n according to Formula (18-5).
hx = Height in feet above the base to level i, n, or x, respectively.
K = Numerical coefficient as set forth in Table 7-3A.
Lev-
el i = Level of the structure referred to by the subscript i.
Lev-
el n = That level which is uppermost in the main portion of the
structure.
Lev-
el j; = That level which is under design consideration.
M = Overturning moment at the base of the building or structure.
Itp = The overturning moment at level x.
N = Total number of stories above exterior grade.
T = Fundamental period of vibration of the building or structure
in seconds in the direction under consideration.
V = Total lateral load or shear at the base.
V = F^ + ^ F^
i = 1
where t = 1 designates first level above the base.
W = Total dead load including the partition loading where appli-
cable.
EXCEPTION: W shall be equal to the total deal load plus
7-17C
twenty-five (25) percent of the floor live load in storage
and warehouse occupancies; the snow load shall also be
included.
w^ = That portion of W which is located at or is assigend to level
w^ i or X respectively.
Wp = The weight of a part or portion of a structure.
Yt = Total unit weight.
718.4 MINIMUM EARTHQUAKE FORCES FOR STRUCTURES: The provisions
of this section are applicable only to buildings and structures
meeting the requirements of section 718.5. All other buildings
and structures shall be designed in accordance with section 718.7.
718.41 TOTAL LATERAL FORCE: Every structure shall be designed
and constructed to withstand minimum total lateral seismic forces
assumed to act nonconcurrently in the direction of each of the
main axes of the structure in accordance with the following formula:
V = 1/3 KCSW
a) C FACTOR
The value of C shall be determined in accordance with the
following formula:
For all one and two-story buildings or structures the value
of C shall be not less than 0.10. For other buildings the
maximum value of C need not exceed 0. 10.
EXCEPTIONS :
1) C exceeds 0.10 where indicated in Table 7-3b.
2) Buildings or structures which have highly irregular
shapes, large differences in lateral resistance or
stiffness between different stories or other unusual
structural features affecting seismic response shall
be designed in accordance with section 718.7.
T is the fundamental period of vibration of the structure in
seconds in the direction under consideration. Properly
substantiated technical data for establishing the period T
may be submitted. In the absence of such data, the value for
T for buildings shall be determined by the following formula:
0.05h„
7-17D
EXCEPTION: In all buildings in which the lateral force
resisting system consists of a moment-resisting space frame
which resists one hundred (100) percent of the required
lateral forces and which frame is not enclosed by or
adjoined by more rigid elements which would tend to prevent
the frame from resisting lateral forces:
0.10 N
b) K FACTOR
All buildings shall be designed with a horizontal force factor
K = 1 except buildings which have a lateral force resisting
system listed in Table 7-3A.
TABLE 7-3A HORIZONTAL FORCE FACTOR "K" FOR BUILDINGS
OR OTHER STRUCTURES 1
TYPE OF ARRANGEMENT OF RESISTING ELEMENTS
VALUE
OF K
Buildings with a box system as defined in section
718.2
1.33
Buildings with a dual bracing system as defined in
section 718.2
0.80
Buildings with a momemt resisting space frame designed
to resist the total required lateral force
0.67
Elevated tanks plus full contents, on four or more
cross-braced legs and not supported by a building^
3.003
Structures other than buildings and other than those
set forth in Table 7-3b
2.00
Note 1: Where wind load would produce higher stresses, this load
shall be used in lieu of the loads resulting from earth-
quake forces.
Note 2: The minimum value of "KC" shall be 0.12 and the maximum
value of "KC" need not exceed 0.25.
Note 3: The tower shall be designed for an accidental torsion of
five (5) percent as specified in section 718.43. Elevated
tanks which are supported by buildings or do not conform
to type or arrangement of supporting elements as described
7-17E
NOTES FOR TABLE 7-3A (continued)
above shall be designed in accordance with section 718.45
using "Cp" =2.
c) S FACTOR
For a Class A soil site, S = 1. For a Class B soil site,
S = 1.5. Intermediate values of S may be used, if justified
by -the results of adequate studies by a qualified registered
professional engineer.
718.42 DISTRIBUTION OF LATERAL FORCE
a) VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION
The total lateral force V shall be distributed in the height
of the structure in the following manner:
Ft = .004V \^ D,
F. need not exceed 0.15 V and may be considered as for
values fhyi] of 3 or less, and
(k)
(V - Ft) wx^x
•^ n
^ w^h^
i = 1
EXCEPTION: One and two-story buildings shall have uniform
distribution.
At each level designated as x, the force F^ shall be applied
over the area of the building in accordance with the mass
distribution on that level.
b) HORIZONTAL DISTRIBUTION
Total shear in any horizontal plane shall be distributed to
the various elements of the lateral force resisting system
in proportion to their rigidities considering the rigidity
of the horizontal bracing system or diaphragm.
718.43 HORIZONTAL TORSIONAL MOMENTS: Provisions shall be made for
the increase in shear resulting from the horizontal torsion due to
an eccentricity between the center of mass and the center of rigidity.
Negative torsional shears shall be neglected. Where the vertical
resisting elements depend on diaphragm action for shear distribution
at any level, the shear-resisting elements shall be capable of
resisting a torsional moment assumed to be equivalent to the story
shear acting with an eccentricity of not less than five (5) percent
7-17F
of the maximum building dimension at that level.
718.44 OVERTURNING: Every building or structure shall be designed
to resist the overturning effects caused by the wind forces and
related requirements specified in section 717.0 or the earthquake
forces specified in this section, whichever governs.
At any level the incremental changes of the design overturning
moment, in the story under consideration, shall be distributed to
the various resisting elements in the same proportions as the
distribution of the shears in the resisting system. Where other
vertical members are provided which are capable of partially
resisting the overturning moments, a redistribution may be made
to these members if framing members of sufficient strength and
stiffness to transmit the required loads are provided.
Where a vertical resisting element is discontinuous, the over-
turning moment carried by the lowest story of that element shall
be carried down as loads to the foundation.
718.45 LATERAL FORCE ON PARTS OR PORTIONS OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER
STRUCTURES: Parts or portions of buildings or structures and their
anchorage shall be designed for lateral forces in accordance with
the following formula:
Fp = l/3CpWp
The values of Cp are set forth in Table 7-3b unless a greater
value is required by the basic seismic formula V = 1/3 KCSW.
The distribution of these forces shall be according to the gravity
loads pertaining thereto.
7-17G
TABLE 7-3B HORIZONTAL FORCE FACTOR "C" FOR PARTS OR
PORTIONS OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER STRUCTURES
PART OR PORTION OF BUILDINGS
DIRECTION
OF FORCE
VALUE OF
Cp
Exterior bearing and nonbearing walls,
interior bearing walls and partitions,
interior nonbearing walls and parti-
tions over 10 feet in height, mason-
ry or concrete fences over 6 feet
in height
Normal to
flat
surface
0.20
Cantilever parapet and other cantilever
walls, except retaining walls
Normal to
flat
surface
1.00
Exterior and interior ornamentations
and appendages
Any
direction
1.00
When connected to, part of, or housed
within a building: towers, tanks,
towers and tanks plus contents,
storage racks over 6 feet in
height plus contents, chimneys,
smokestacks and penthouses
Any
direction
0.20l> 2
When resting on the ground, tank plus
effective mass of its contents
Any
direction
0.10
Floors and roofs acting as diaphragms^
Any
direction
0.10
Connections for exterior panels or for
elements complying with section
718.64
Any
direction
2.00
Connections for prefabricated struc-
tural elements other than walls, with
force applied at center of gravity
of assembly^
Any
horizontal
direction
0.30
7-17H
NOTES FOR TABLE 7-3B
Note 1: When located in the upper portion of any building where
the "h^/D" ratio is five- to-one (5/1) or greater the value
shall be increased by fifty (50) percent.
Note 2: "Wp" for storage racks shall be the weight of the racks
plus contents. The value of "Cp" for racks over two (2)
storage support levels in height shall be .16 for the
levels below the top two levels.
Note 3: For purposes of determining the lateral force, a minimum
ceiling weight of five (5) pounds per square foot shall
be used.
Note 4: Floors and roofs acting as diaphragms shall be designed
for a minimum value of "Cp" of ten (10) percent applied
to loads tributary from tnat story unless a greater value
of "Cp" is required by the basic seismic formula
V = 1/3 KCSW.
Note 5: The "Wp" shall be equal to the total load plus twenty-five
(25) percent of the floor live load in storage and ware-
house occupancies.
7-171
718.46 LATERAL FORCE ON FOUNDATIONS: Provision shall be made
for transmission of the base shear, acting in any direction, be-
tween structure and soil or rock, by means of
a) lateral soil pressure against foundation walls, footings,
grade beams and pipe caps;
b) lateral soil pressure against piles, piers, or caissons;
c) batter piles, or;
d) side or bottom friction on walls or footings, or;
e) combinations of the foregoing.
Lateral pressure may not be more than one-third (1/3) the passive
pressure. Bottom friction may not be relied upon where a building
overlies Class B soil and is supported upon piles, piers or caissons.
Even if not relied upon to transmit the base shear, foundation walls
shall comply with the provisions of section 718.68.
718.5 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
718.51 CONCRETE: Design and construction of earthquake resisting
reinforced concrete framing members and their connections shall con-
form to the provisions of section 842.1 and of reference standard
ACI 318-71 (except Appendix A), and to the special requirements of
this section.
a) FLEXURAL MEMBERS OF MOMENT RESISTING SPACE FRAMES
Web reinforcement shall be required throughout the length of
each flexural member. The minimum area of such web reinforce-
ment shall be 0.15 percent of the product of the width of the
web and the spacing of the web reinforcement along the longitudinal
axis of the member.
Where stirrups are used as web reinforcement, the first stirrup
shall be located two (2) inches from the face of the support
and the next six (6) stirrups shall be spaced not over one-
fourth (1/4) of the depth of the member.
Lapped splices located in a region of tension or reversing
stress shall be confined by at least two stirrups at each
splice.
b) COLUMNS OF MOMENT RESISTING SPACE FRAMES
The spacing of ties at the ends of tied columns shall not ex-
ceed four (4) inches for a distance equal to the maximum
column dimension but not less than one-sixth (1/6) of the
clear height of the column, nor less than eighteen (18) inches,
■from the face of the joint. The first such tie shall be
located two (2) inches from the face of the joint. Joints
7-17J
of exterior and comer columns shall be confined by lateral
reinforcement through the joint. Such lateral reinforcement
shall consist of spirals or ties as required at the ends of
columns.
c) EARTHQUAKE RESISTING SHEAR WALLS AND BRACED FRAMES
Shear walls and braced frames shall be designed by the strength
design method except that the alternate design method of re-
ference standard ACI 318-71 may be used, provided that the
factor of safety in shear is equivalent to that achieved with
the strength design method. The formulas for required strength
U, as provided in reference standard ACI 318-71, shall be modi-
fied to:
U = 1.4 (D + L) + 1.4E
U = 0.9D + 1.4E
except that 2.E shall be used in the calculation of shear
stresses in shear walls of buildings without a moment resist-
ing space frame capable of carrying all vertical loads and
lateral forces.
1) SHEAR WALLS
a) Special vertical boundary elements shall be provided
at the edges of concrete shear walls in buildings with
a dual bracing system as defined in section 718.2.
These elements shall be composed of concrete encased
structural steel elements of A36, A440, A441, A572
(except Grades 60 and 65) or A588 Grades A, B, or C,
or shall be concrete reinforced as required for columns
with special transverse reinforcement as desribed in Item
3) below for the full length of the element. The
boundary vertical elements and such other similar
vertical elements as may be required shall be designed
to carry all the vertical stresses resulting from
the wall loads in addition to tributary dead and live
loads and from the design lateral forces. Horizontal
reinforcing in the walls shall be fully anchored to
the vertical elements.
b) Similar confinement of horizontal and vertical boundaries
at wall openings also shall be provided unless it can
be demonstrated that the unit compressive stresses
at the opening have a load factor two (2) times that
given by the formulae in this subsection for required
strength U.
c) Wall reinforcement required to resist wall shear shall
7-17K
be terminated with not less than a ninety (90) de-
gree bend plus a twelve (12) bar diameter extension
beyond the boundary reinforcing at vertical and hori-
zontal end faces of wall sections. Wall reinforce-
ment terminating in boundary columns shall be fully
anchored into the boundary elements.
2) BRACED FRAMES
a) Reinforced concrete members of braced frames subject
primarily to axial stresses shall have transverse
reinforcement as specified in 3) below through the
full length of the member. Tension members shall
additionally meet the requirements for compressive
members.
b) In buildings without a moment resisting space frame
capable of carrying all vertical loads and the total
required lateral force, all members in braced frames
shall be designed for 1.25 times the force determined
in accordance with section 718.4. Connections for
these members are not permitted the thirty-three (33)
percent stress increase for earthquake.
3) TRANSVERSE REINFORCEMENT
Where transverse reinforcement is required by the pro-
visions of this section, the amount of such reinforce-
ment shall be not less than that specified below.
The volumetric ratio of spiral reinforcement shall be
not less than that specified for reinforced concrete
columns, nor less than
0.12 f /f
c yh
Rectangular hoop reinforcement shall be spaced not more
than four (4) inches apart and shall have a total cross-
sectional area not less than the greater of
A =0.30 s h f /f (A /A -1)
sh h c c yh g ch
A ,=0.12 s,h f /f ,
sh h c c yh
Single or overlapping hoops may be provided to meet this
requirement.
Supplementary cross ties of the same size and spacing
as hoops using 135-degree minimum hooks engaging the
periphery hoop and secured to a longitudinal bar may
7-17L
be used. Supplementary cross ties or legs of overlapp-
ing hoops shall be spaced not more than fourteen (14)
inches on center transversely.
718.52 STEEL: Design and construction of earthquake resisting
steel framing members and their connections shall conform to the
provisions of section 827 and of reference standard AISC 1969 and
to the special requirements of this section.
a) MOMENT-RESISTING SPACE FRAMES
1) GENERAL
Design and construction of steel framing in moment-resist-
ing space frames shall conform to the provisions of sec-
tion 827.0 and the requirements of this section.
2) DEFINITIONS
a) JOINTS: The joint is the entire assemblage at
the intersections of the members.
b) CONNECTIONS: The connection consists of only those
elements that connect the member to the joint.
3) CONNECTIONS
Each beam or girder moment connection to a column shall
be capable of developing in the beam the full plastic
capacity of the beam or girder.
EXCEPTION: The connection need not develop the full
plastic capacity of the beam or girder if it can be
shown that adequately ductile joint displacement
is provided with a lesser connection.
4) LOCAL BUCKLING
Members in which hinges will form during inelastic dis-
placement of the frames shall comply with the require-
ment for "plastic design sections".
5) SLENDERNESS RATIOS
The effective length "kl" used in determining the s lender -
ness ratio of an axially loaded compression member in the
moment-resisting space frame depends on its own bending
stiffness for the lateral stability of the building,
even if bracing or shear walls are provided.
6) NONDESTRUCTIVE WELDING TESTING
Welded connections between primary members of the moment-
resisting space frame shall be tested by nondestructive
7-17M
methods for compliance with the Code and job specifica-
tions. A program for this testing shall be established
by the person responsible for structural design. As a
minimum, this program shall include the following:
a) All complete penetration groove .welds contained in
joints and splices shall be tested one hundred (100)
percent either by ultrasonic testing or by radiography.
EXCEPTION: The nondestructive testing rate for an
individual welder may be reduced to twenty-five
(25) percent subject to the concurrence of the
design engineer of record, provided the reject
rate is demonstrated to be five (5) percent or
less of the welds tested for the welder. A sampl-
ing of at least forty (40) completed welds shall
be made for such reduction evaluation. Reject
rate is defined as the number of welds containing
rejectable defects divided by the number of welds
completed. For evaluating the reject rate of con-
tinuous welds over three (3) feet in length, each
twelve (12) inch increment shall be considered as
one weld. For evaluating the reject rate for continu-
ous welds greater than one (1) inch thick, each
six (6) inches of length shall be considered one
(1) weld.
b) Partial penetration groove welds when used in column
splices shall be tested either by ultrasonic testing
or radiography as required by the design engineer of
record.
b) BRACED FRAMES
1) All members in braced frames of K=1.0 and K=1.33 build-
ings shall be designed for 1.25 times the force determined
in accordance with section 718.4. Connections for these
members are not permitted the thirty-three (33) percent
stress increase for earthquake.
718.53 MASONRY: Masonry shall be subject to the provisions and
reference standards of Article 8.
718.54 TIMBER: Design and construction of earthquake resisting
timber structures shall conform to the provisions of section
851 supplemented by the reference standards of Article 8 pertain-
ing to Liomber and Construction and the Timber Construction Manual
(second Edition 1974) by the American Institute of Timber Construc-
tion, and to the requirements of this section.
a) DIAPHRAGMS
Linnber and plywood diaphragms may be used to resist wind
or horizontal earthquake forces.
7-17N
Design of diaphragms shall conform to the accepted engineer-
ing practice as presented in the Timber Construction Manual.
b) Axial and shear forces produced in wood members by wind or
earthquake shall be transferred by positive connections
and adequate anchorage. Uplift or horizontal displacement
of seated connections shall be prevented by positive anchors.
Toenailing or nails subject to withdrawal are not acceptable
for connections resisting such forces or displacements.
Sheathing materials may be used as tension ties provided the
tension force does not provide cross-grain bending or cross-
grain tension in the peripheral members or other framing
members to which the sheathing connects.
718.55 PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION: All structural elements with-
in the structure which are considered to resist seismic forces or
movement and/or are connected so as to participate with the struc-
tural system shall be designed in accordance with the provisions
of this Code in accordance with "Accepted Engineering Practice
Standards" (ACI 318-71 for Precast Concrete). Connections shall
accommodate all design forces and movement without loss of load
carrying capacity of the interconnected members and shall conform
to section 718.57.
718.56 OTHER MATERIALS OR METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION: Materials other
than concrete, steel, clay masonry, concrete block masonry and wood
and structural systems other than structural steel, reinforced
concrete, reinforced masonry, wood frame or heavy timber shall not
be relied on to resist lateral forces and deformations in building
structures unless it can be demonstrated to the building official
that the structure can safely withstand lateral distortion eight
(8) times that computed for the lateral forces specified in sec-
tion 718.4. The building official shall require drawings and cal-
culations submitted by a registered professional engineer to verify
the requirements of this provision.
718.57 CONNECTIONS
a) Connections with transfer forces between members which
resist seismic forces in flexure shall be designed for
the required forces and also shall either:
1) Develop the full plastic moment of the member
OR
2) Be capable of deforming to form a reversible plastic
hinge.
b) Members v^ich are part of the lateral force resisting
system and resist seismic motion by direct axial force
shall have connections designed to develop the axial
capacities of the members.
7-170
c) Connections of structural members, which are not part of
the lateral force resisting system, to supporting members
shall be designed to resist the required seismic forces
without reliance on frictional forces.
d) Column splices, base plate anchors and other types of
connections that act primarily in bearing shall be designed
to resist the required forces, and also shall be capable
of resisting the forces resulting from the full seismic
loading combined with two-thirds (2/3) of the dead load
forces acting concurrently.
e) Connections between diaphragms and resisting shear walls
and bracing shall be designed for twice the computed force.
718.5 OTHER DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
718.61 LATERAL FORCE RESISTING SYSTEM: Rigid elements that are
assumed not to be part of the lateral force resisting system may
be incorporated into buildings provided that their effect on the
action of the system is considered and provided for in the design.
718.62 MOMENT RESISTING SPACE FRAMES: Moment resisting space
frames may be enclosed by or adjoined by more rigid elements which
would tend to prevent the space frame from resisting lateral
forces where it can be shown that the action or failure of the
more rigid elements will not impair the vertical and lateral load
resisting ability of the space frame.
718.63 BUILDING SEPARATIONS: All portions of structures shall
be designed and constructed to act as an integral unit in resist-
ing horizontal forces unless separated structurally by a distance
sufficient to avoid contact under deflection from seismic action
or wind forces.
718.64 SETBACKS: Buildings having setbacks wherein the plan
dimension of the tower in each direction is at least seventy-five
(75) percent of the corresponding plan dimension of the lower
part may be considered as a uniform building without setbacks
for the purpose of determining seismic forces.
For other conditions of setbacks the tower shall be designed
as a separate building using the larger of the seismic coefficients
at the base of the tower determined by considering the tower as
either a separate building for its own height or as part of the
overall structure. The resulting total shear from the tower shall
be applied at the top of the lower part of the building which shall
be otherwise considered separately for its own height.
EXCEPTION: Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to pro-
hibit the submission of properly substantiated technical data
for establishing the lateral design forces by a dynamic analysis
in accordance with section 718.7
7-17P
718.65 COMBINED VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL FORCES: In computing
the effect of seismic force in combination with vertical loads,
gravity load stresses induced in members by dead load plus de-
sign live load, except roof live load, shall be considered.
718.66 EXTERIOR ELEMENTS: Precast, nonbearing, non-shear wall
panels, parapets, or other elements which are attached to, or en-
close the exterior, shall accommodate movements of the structure
resulting from lateral forces or temperature changes. The concrete
panels or other elements shall be supported by means of poured-in-
place concrete or by mechanical fasteners in accordance with the
following provisions:
a) Connections and panel joints shall allow for a relative
movement between stories of not less than two (2) times
story drift caused by wind or seismic forces; or one
quarter (1/4) inch whichever is greater.
b) Connections shall have sufficient ductility and rotation
capacity so as to preclude fracture of the concrete or
brittle failures at or near welds. Inserts in concrete
shall be attached to, or hooked around reinforcing steel,
or otherwise terminated so as to effectively transfer forces
to the reinforcing steel.
c) Connections to permit movement in the plane of the panel for
story drift may be properly designed sliding connections using
slotted or oversize holes or may be connections which permit
movement by bending of steel.
718.67 MINOR ALTERATIONS: Minor structural alterations may be made
in existing buildings and other structures, but the resistance to
lateral forces shall be not less than that before such alterations
were made, unless the building as altered meets the requirements
of this section of the Code.
718.68 DRIFT: Lateral deflections or drift of a story relative
to its adjacent stories shall be considered in accordance with
accepted practice. Lateral deflection of diaphragms shall be
considered in addition to the deflection of vertical bracing
elements.
Rigid elements that are assumed not to be part of the lateral
force resisting system may be incorporated into buildings provided
that the effect of the action of the system is considered and
provided for in the design. In addition, the effects of the drift
on such rigid elements themselves and on their attachment to the
building structure shall be considered.
718.69 INTERCONNECTIONS OF FOUNDATIONS: Pile, pier and caisson
caps shall be interconnected by ties when the caps overlie Class
B soil. Each tie shall carry by tension or compression a horizontal
force equal to ten (10) percent of the larger pile, pier or caisson
cap loading, unless it can be demonstrated that equivalent restraint
7-17Q
can be provided by other means. At sites where footings are under-
lain at shallow depths by cohesionless granular soils, the blow
counts of which only slightly exceed the criteria given in Figure
7-10, adequate consideration shall be given to the lateral and
vertical movements of footings that may occur during the design
earthquake specified in section 718.7.
718.70 RETAINING WALLS: Retaining walls shall be designed to re-
sist at least the superimposed effects of the total static lateral
soil pressure, excluding the pressure caused by any temporary sur-
charge, plus an earthquake force of 0.045r^H2 (Horizontal backfill
surface). Surcharges which are applied over extended periods of
time shall be included in the total static lateral soil pressure
and their earthquake lateral force shall be computed and added
to the force of .0U5y ^^ . The earthquake force from the backfill
shall be distributed as an inverse triangle over the height of the
wall. The point of application of the earthquake force from an ex-
tended duration surcharge shall be determined on an individual case
basis. If the backfill consists of loose saturated granular soil,
consideration shall be given to the potential liquefaction of the
backfill during the seismic loading.
718.71 DYNAMIC ANALYSIS: Any building or structure is deemed to
have complied with the provisions of section 718 if a qualified
registered engineer determines that there is negligible risk to
life safety if the building or structure experiences an earthquake
with a peak acceleration of 0.12g and a frequency content similar
to that implied by the appropriate response spectrum in Figure 7-10.
A copy of the studies upon which the determination may be based
upon shall be filed with the building official. Such a determina-
tion may be based upon
a) a dynamic analysis, based upon generally acceptable procedures,
together with evidence that the building or structure can
safely withstand the computed displacements and distortions;
b) a comparison of the building or structure with similar build-
ings or structures having similar foundations and subsoil con-
ditions, that have withstood a similar actual earthquake; or
c) other accepted procedures.
7-17R
s.s - NoiiVHanaDDV ivaxoads
7-17S
SECTION 719.0 COMBINED LOADING
The structural frame of all buildings shall be investigated for
the combined effect of lateral and vertical loading and the individual
members of the frame shall be proportioned as follows:
719.1 WITH EARTHQUAKE: For combined stresses due to earthquake load
together with dead, live and snow loads, the allowable working stress
for the structural material may be Increased thirty-three and one-
third (33 1/3) percent.
719.2 WITH WIND: For combined stresses due to wind load together
with dead, live and snow loads, the allowable working stress for the
structural material may be increased thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3)
percent .
719.3 MINIMUM SECTION: The section determined for the combined
loadings herein specified shall be compared with that required for
dead, live and snow loads only, and the section of greatest strength
shall determine that to be used in the structure.
SECTION 720.0 LIVE LOAD REDUCTION
In all buildings and structures except places of assembly, the
design live loads may be reduced on columns, piers, walls, trusses,
girders and foundations as herein specified; but in no case shall a
reduction be applied to the roof live load.
720.1 LIVE LOADS 100 POUNDS OR LESS: For live loads of one hundred
(100) pounds or less per square foot, the design live load on any
member supporting one hundred fifty (150) square feet or more may
be reduced at the rate of eight-hundredths (0.08) percent per square
foot of area supported by the members; except that no reduction
shall be made for areas to be occupied as places of public assembly.
The reduction shall exceed neither R as determined by the following
formula, nor sixty (60) percent:
R = 23 (1 + D/L)
R = reduction in percent
D = dead load per square foot of an area supported by the member
L = design live load per square foot of area supported by the member.
720.2 LIVE LOADS MORE THAN 100 POUNDS: For live loads exceeding
one hundred (100) pounds per square foot, no reduction shall be made,
except that the design live loads on columns may be reduced twenty
(20) percent.
7-18
SECTION 721.0 ALLOWABLE WORKING STRESSES
721.1 CONTROLLED MATERIALS: All structures controlled by the provisions
of section 128.0, and all other materials subject to control in the
building regulatory system, shall be identified as to manufacture,
grade, and whatever other specifications as may be necessary to con-
form with the requirements for design and analysis of such controlled
structures or materials.
721.2 ORDINARY MATERIALS: The use of ordinary materials without
selection and without controlled design and supervision, or when the
material is not identified as to strength and stress grade, shall be
limited to the average unit working stresses prescribed in the
reference standards of this article.
721.3 NEW MATERIALS: For materials which are not specifically pro-
vided for in the Basic Code, the working stresses shall be established
by tests as provided in sections 703 and 803.
SECTION 722.0 LIGHT WEIGHT METALS
Aluminum and other light weight metals and their alloys may be
used in the design and construction of buildings and structures only
after special approval of the building official, subject to the
determination of the physical properties by tests as prescribed in
article 8 and in accordance with the provisions of section 834, and
provided that plans and calculations are submitted by a registered
professional engineer or architect.
SECTION 723.0 BEARING VALUE OF SOILS
All applications for permits for the construction of new buildings
or structures, and for the alteration of a permanent structure which
require changes in foundation loads and distribution, shall be
accompanied by a statement describing soil in all bearing strata,
including sufficient records and data to establish their character,
nature and load bearing capacity. Such records shall be certified
by a qualified registered professional engineer or architect.
723.1 SATISFACTORY FOUNDATION MATERIALS: Satisfactory bearing strata
to provide structural support shall be considered to include the
following, provided they are of a standard consistent with engineering
applications: natural strata of rock, gravel, sand, inorganic silt,
inorganic clay, or combinations of these materials. Compacted fills
when designed and placed under the supervision of a qualified registered
professional engineer or architect and certified by him as meeting the
design requirements, may be accepted by the building official. Other
conditions of unsatisfactory bearing materials which are altered under
7-19
the supervision of a qualified registered professional engineer or arch-
tect and certified by him as meeting the design requirments may be
accepted by the building official. Sites involving medium and fine
sands, inorganic silt and compacted fills are subject to the additional
special requirements in section 723.3.
723.11 LOADING INTERACTION: Wherever bearing strata are subject to
interaction from other loadings or strata reactions, such conditions
shall be incorporated in the evaluation of the design bearing capacity
of the support strata.
723.12 BEARING CAPACITY FOR LIGHT WEIGHT STRUCTURES: Light weight
structures and accessory structures such as garages and sheds may be
founded on normally unacceptable bearing strata, providing such material
is certified by a qualified registered professional engineer or architect
as being satisfactory for the intended use.
723.13 PROTECTION OF BEARING STRATA: Bearing strata which may be
adversely affected by conditions within the structure, such as evapora-
tion and shrinkage due to excess heat, shall be adequately protected.
723.2 BEARING VALUES: The maximum pressure on soils under foundations
shall not exceed values specified in table 7-4, except when determined
in accordance with the provisions of section 725.0 or when modified by
specific sections of this article.
TABLE 7-4 PRESUMPTIVE BEARING CAPACITY OF FOUNDATION MATERIALS
CLASS OF MATERIAL** TONS PER SQUARE FOOT*
1. Massive crystalline bedrock including
granite, diorite, gneiss, trap rock, and
dolomite (hard limestone) 60
2. Foliated rock including limestone, schist
and slate in sound condition 40
3. Sedimentary rock including hard shales,
sandstones, and thoroughly cemented
conglomerates 20
4. Soft or broken bedrock" (excluding shale)
and soft limestone 20
5. Compacted, partially cemented gravels,
and sand and hardpan overlying rock 10
6. Gravel, well-graded sand and gravel mixtures 6
7. Loose gravel, compact coarse sand 4
8. Loose coarse sand and sand and gravel
mixtures and compact fine sand (confined) 2
7-20
TABLE 7-4 (cont.)
9. Loose medium sand (confined) 1
10. Loose fine sand (+)
(+)
11. Hard clay 4
12. Medium stiff clay, stiff varved silt 2 (t)
13. Soft clay, soft broken shale 1 (t)
14. Soft inorganic silt, preloaded material,
shattered shale, or any natural deposit of
unusual character not provided for herein (+)
(+)
15. Disturbed bed varved silt
16. Compacted granular fill +
(2-5+)
* The allowable bearing pressure given in this section, or when
determined in accordance with the provisions of section 727
will assure that the soils will be stressed within limits that lie
safely below their strength. However, such allowable bearing
pressure for Classes 9 to 12, inclusive, do not assure that the
settlements will be within the tolerable limits for a given
structure.
t Alternatively, the allowable bearing pressure shall be computed
from the unconfined compressive strength of undisturbed samples,
and shall be taken as 1.50 times that strength for round and
square footings, and 1.25 times that strenth for footings with
length-width ratios of greater than four (4) ; for intermediate
ratios interpolation may be used.
+ Value to be fixed by the building official in accordance with
+ sections 725.0 and 726.0.
** The allowable bearing pressure may be increased by one-third (1/3).
723.21 CLASSIFICATION OF BEARING MATERIALS: The terms used in this
section shall be interpreted in accordance with generally accepted
engineering nomenclature. In addition, the following more specific
definitions are used for bearing materials in the area:
a) ROCKS
SHALE: a soft, fine-grained sedimentary rock.
SLATE: a hard, fine-grained metamorphic rock of sedimentary
origin.
CONGLOMERATE: a hard, well-cemented metamorphic rock consisting
7-21
of fragments ranging from sand to gravel and cobbles set in
a fine-grained matrix (locally known as Puddingstone) .
b) GRANULAR MATERIALS
GRAVEL: a mixture of mineral grains at least seventy (70) percent
(by weight) of which is retained on a No. 4 mesh sieve and
possessing no dry strength.
SAND: a mixture of mineral grains at least seventy (70) percent
(by weight) of which passes a No. 4 mesh sieve and which contains
not more than fifteen (15) percent (by weight) passing a No.
200 mesh sieve.
COARSE SAND: a sand at least fifty (50) percent (by weight) of
which is retained on a No. 20 mesh sieve.
MEDIUM SAND: a sand at least fifty (50) percent (by weight) of
which passes a No. 20 mesh sieve and at least fifty (50)
percent (by weight) is retained on a No. 60 mesh sieve.
FINE SAND: a sand at least fifty (50) percent (by weight) of
which passes a No. 60 mesh sieve.
WELL-GRADED SAND AND GRAVEL: a mixture of mineral grains which
contains between twenty-five (25) percent and seventy (70)
percent (by weight) passing a No. 4 mesh sieve, between ten
(10) and forty (40) percent (by weight) passing a No. 20 mesh
sieve, and containing not more than eight (8) percent (by
weight) passing a No. 200 mesh sieve.
c) COHESIVE MATERIALS
GLACIAL TILL: a very dense, heterogeneous mixture ranging from
very fine material to coarse gravel and boulders and generally
lying over bedrock. It can be identified from geological
evidence and from the very high penetration resistance encoun-
tered in earth boring and sampling operations.
CLAY: a fine-grained, inorganic soil possessing sufficient
dry strength to form hard lumps which cannot readily be pul-
verized by the fingers.
HARD CLAY: an inorganic clay requiring picking for removal,
a fresh sample of which cannot be molded by pressure of the
fingers.
MEDIUM CLAY: an inorganic clay which can be removed by spading,
a fresh sample of which can be molded by a substantial pressure
of the fingers.
SOFT CLAY: an inorganic clay, a fresh sample of which can be
molded with slight pressure of the fingers.
7-21A
INORGANIC SILT: a fine-grained inorganic soil consisting chiefly
of grains which will pass a No. 200 mesh sieve and possessing
sufficient dry strength to form lumps which can easily be
pulverized with the fingers.
NOTE: Dry strength is determined by drying a wet pat of soil
and breaking it with the fingers.
d) COMPACTED GRANULAR FILL: a fill consisting of gravel, sand-
gravel mixtures, coarse or medium sand, crushed stone, or slag,
containing not more than eight (8) percent (by weight) passing
a No. 200 mesh sieve and having no plasticity, shall be con-
sidered satisfactory bearing material when compacted in nine
(9) inch thick layers, measured before compaction, with adjust-
ment of water content as necessary to achieve required compaction
by applying to each layer a minimum of four (4) coverages
of one of the following:
1) a vibratory roller with a steel drum with minimum weight
of two (2) tons with a speed not exceeding one and one-
half (1 1/2) miles per hour;
2) a rubber-tired roller having four (4) wheel abreast and
weighted to a total load of not less than thirty-five (35)
tons;
3) with the treads of a crawler type tractor with total load
of not less than thirty-five (35) tons;
4) other types of materials, compaction equipment, and
procedures as may be approved by the building official
on the basis of sufficient evidence that they will achieve
compacted fills having satisfactory properties.
The building official will require a competent inspector,
qualified by experience and training and satisfactory to him,
to be on the project at all times while fill is being placed
and compacted. The inspector shall make an accurate record
of the type of material used, including grain-size curves,
thickness of lifts, type of compacting equipment and number of
coverages, the use of water and other pertinent data.
Whenever the building official or the inspector questions
the suitability of a material, or the degree of compaction
achieved, bearing tests shall be performed on the compacted
material in accordance with the requirements of section 725.0.
A copy of all these records and test data shall be filed with
the building official.
e) PRELOADED MATERIALS
1) The building official may allow the use of certain otherwise
unsatisfacoty natural soils and uncompacted fills for the
support of one (1) story structures, after these materials
have been preloaded to effective stresses not less than one
hundred and fifty (150) percent of the effective stresses
which will be induced by the structure.
7-21B
2) The building official may require the loading and unloading
of a sufficiently large area, conducted under the direction
of a competent engineer, approved by the building official,
who shall submit a report containing a program which will
allow sufficient time for adequate consolidation of the
material, and an analysis of the preloaded material and of
the probable settlements of the structure.
723.3 LIQUEFACTION: The earthquake liquefaction potential of saturated
medium and fine sands shall be evaluated on the basis of figures 7-7 and
7-8. If the standard penetration resistances, N, in all strata of
medium and fine sand lie above the applicable curve in figure 7-7, the
sands at the site shall not be considered subject to liquefaction. If
strata not meeting the above criterion exist, but if the total thickness
of these non-complying strata and the depth to the top of the uppermost
of the non-complying stratum meet the requirements in figure 7-8 the
site shall also be satisfactory from the standpoint of liquefaction.
For pressure-injected footings, the ten (10) foot thickness of soil
immediately below the bottom of the driven shaft shall not be considered
subject to liquefaction.
Compacted granular fills shall not be considered subject to lique-
faction provided they are systematically compacted to at least ninety-
three (93) percent of maximum dry density as determined in accordance
with laboratory test designation ASTM D1557, or a relative density of at
least sixty (60) percent in the case of granular soil having less than
ten (10) percent by weight passing the No. 200 sieve.
For sites not meeting the above criteria, and for sites involving
saturated inorganic non-plastic silts, studies by a qualified registered
professional engineer shall be made to determine that the structure
loads can be safety supported. Such studies might include:
a) detailed investigations to establish that the soils at the site
are actually not subect to liquefaction during the design earth-
quake as specified in section 718.7.
b) providing foundations that will not fail if liquefaction occurs.
c) replacing or densifying the liquefaction susceptible soils such
that liquefaction will not occur.
723.4 CLASS A AND CLASS B SOILS: For purposes of determining earth-
quake forces as specified in sections 718.4 and 718.7 Class A soil
includes the following classes from Table 7-4: massive igneous rocks
and conglomerate; slate, shale in sound conditions, glacial till;
gravel or well-graded sand and gravel, if dense to very dense; coarse
sand, if dense to very dense; medium sand, if dense to very dense; fine
sand, if dense to very dense; medium and hard clay; and compacted granular
fill provided that fill soils are systematically compacted throughout
under the continuous inspection by a qualified registered professional
engineer.
7-21C
SECTION 724.0 SUBSURFACE EXPLORATIONS
724.1 TOERE REQUIRED: Borings, tests, drill holes, core borings or any
combination shall be required for all structures except the following
unless specifically required by the building official;
a) one and two-family dwellings and their accessory buildings.
b) structures less than 35,000 cubic feet in gross volume.
The borings or tests shall be adequate in number of depth and so
located to accurately define the nature of any subsurface material
necessary for the support of the structure.
When it is proposed to support the structure directly on bedrock, the
building official shall require rock cores or core borings to be made
into the rock, or shall require other evidence satisfactory to prove
that the structure shall be adequately founded on bedrock.
724.2 SOIL SAMPLES AND BORINGS REPORTS: Samples of the strata penetra-
ted in test borings or test pits, representing the natural disposition
and conditions at the site, shall be available for examination of the
building official. Wash or bucket samples shall not be accepted.
Duplicate copies of the results obtained from all completed and uncom-
pleted borings plotted to a true relative elevation and to scale and of
all test results or other pertinent soil data shall be filed with the
building official.
SECTION 725.0 BEARING TEST AND SETTLEMENT ANALYSES
Whenever the allowable bearing pressure on bearing materials, or the
load bearing capacity of single piles or groups of piles is in doubt,
the building official may require load tests and/or settlement analyses
to be made at the expense of the applicant and the results analyzed
under the direction of a qualified registered professional engineer.
7-21D
725.1 APPROVAL OF TEST METHOD: The apparatus and procedure used shall
be approved by the building official before they are used. A complete
record of the test results together with a soil profile shall be filed
by the qualified registered professional engineer who shall have a
fully-qualified representative on the site during all test operations.
725.2 LOADING EQUIPMENT: The load shall be applied by direct weight or
by means of a recently-calibrated jack. Each load shall be maintained
constant for the required period with an accuracy of plus or minus three
(3) percent.
725.21 AREA: For bearing materials of classes 1 to 5 inclusive, the
load area shall be not less than one (1) square foot and for other
classes, not less than four (4) square feet.
725.3 LOADING PROCEDURE: The application of the test load shall be in
steps equal to not more than one-half (h) the contemplated design load,
to at least twice the contemplated design load, except as provided in
section 725.7. The unloading shall be in at least two (2) steps: to
the design load and then to zero (0) load. During the loading cycle the
contemplated design load and twice the contemplated design load shall be
maintained constant for at least twenty-four (24) hours and until the
rate of settlement or rebound does not exceed two hundredths (.02) of an
inch per twenty-four hours. The load for all other load steps including
the zero (0) load at the end of the test shall be maintained constant
for a period of not less than four (4) hours. Sufficient readings for
each load step shall be made to define properly the time-deflection
curve .
725.4 MEASUREMENTS: Observation of vertical movement shall be made so
that the data will accurately define the progress of vertical displace-
ment during the test.
725.5 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SOIL BEARING TESTS: Bearing tests
shall be applied at the elevations of the proposed bearing surfaces of
the structure; except that the load may be applied directly on the
surface of compacted granular material, class 14. The excavation
immediately surrounding an area to be tested shall be made no deeper
than one (1) foot above the plane of application of the test. The test
plate shall be placed with uniform bearing. For the duration of the
test, the material surrounding the test area shall be protected ef-
fectively against evaporation and frost action.
725.6 DETERMINATION OF DESIGN LOAD: The proposed design load shall be
allowed provided that the requirements of section 725 are fulfilled and
the settlements under the design load and twice the design load do not
exceed three-eighths (3/8) of an inch and one (I) inch, respectively.
725.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PILE LOAD TESTS: A single pile shall
be load tested to not less than twice the design load. When two (2) or
more piles are to be tested as a group, the total load shall be not less
than one and one-half (1%) times the design load for the group.
Provided that the load-settlement curve shows no sign of failure and pro-
vided that the permanent settlement of the top of the pile after removal
7-22
of all load at the completion of the test does not exceed one-half (%)
inch, the maximum design load shall be the load allowed in this part for
the type of pile or one-half (h) of the maximum applied load, whichever
is less.
Whenever the soil conditions are such that substantial driving resist-
ance and/or significant support of the pile test load is derived from
soil strata overlying the intended bearing stratum this support shall be
removed or the results of the pile test shall be analyzed so as to
evaluate the actual support furnished by the bearing stratum.
725.8 APPLICATION OF PILE LOAD TEST RESULTS: The results of the load
test can be applied to other piles within the area of substantially
similar sub-soil conditions as that for the test pile; and providing the
performance of the test pile has been satisfactory and the remaining
piles are of the same type, shape and size as the test pile; and are
installed using the same methods and equipment and are driven into the
same bearing strata as the load tested pile to an equal or greater
penetration resistance.
725.9 SETTLEMENT ANALYSIS: Whenever a structure is to be supported by
medium or soft clay (materials of classes 11 and 12) or other materials
which may be subject to settlement or consolidation, the settlements of
the structure and of neighboring structures due to consolidation shall
be given careful consideration, particularly if the subsurface material
or the loading is subject to extensive variation. The building official
may require a settlement analysis to be made by a qualified registered
professional engineer in case the live and dead loads of the structure,
as specified in this article, minus the weight of the excavated material,
induce a maximum stress greater than three hundred (300) pounds per
square foot at midheight of the underlying soft clay layer.
725.91 SETTLEMENT ANALYSIS COMPUTATIONS: The settlement analysis will
be based on a computation of the new increase in stress that will be
induced by the structure and realistically appraised live loads, after
deducting the weight of excavated material under which the clay was
fully consolidated. The effects of fill loads within the building area
or fill and other loads adjacent to the building shall be included in
the settlement analysis. The appraisal of the live loads may be based
on surveys of actual live loads of existing buildings with similar
occupancy. The soil compressibility shall be determined by a qualified
registered professional engineer and approved by the building official.
SECTION 726.0 ALLOWABLE FOUNDATION PRESSURE
The maximum allowable pressures on foundation materials shall be in
accordance with section 723.0 and as modified herein.
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726.1 ROCK FOUNDATIONS: Where subsurface explorations at the project
site indicate variations or doubtful characteristics in the structure of
the rock upon which it is proposed to construct foundations, a sufficient
number of borings shall be made to a depth of not less than ten (10)
feet below the level of the footings to provide assurance of the sound-
ness of the foundation bed and its bearing capacity.
726.2 BEARING PRESSURE ON ROCK: The tabulated bearing pressures for
rocks of Classes 1 and 3, inclusive, shall apply where the loaded area
is on the surface of sound rock. Where the loaded area is below such
surface these values may be increased ten (10) percent for each foot of
additional depth, but shall not exceed three (3) times the tabulated
values.
726.3 BEARING PRESSURES FOR CLASSES 4 TO 9, INCLUSIVE: The allowable
bearing pressures for materials of Classes 4 to 9, inclusive, may exceed
the tabulated values by five (5) percent for each foot of depth of the
loaded area below the minimum required in section 727 but shall not
exceed twice the tabulated values. For areas of foundations smaller
than three (3) feet in least lateral dimension, the allowable design
bearing pressures shall be one-third (1/3) of the allowable bearing
pressures multiplied by the least lateral dimension in feet.
726.4 BEARING PRESSURES ON CLAY: The tabulated bearing pressures for
Classes 10 to 12, inclusive, shall apply only to pressures directly
under individual footings, walls, and piers; and in case structures are
founded on or are underlain by deposits of these classes, the total load
over the area of any one bay or other major portion of the structure,
minus the weight of all materials removed, divided by the area, shall
not exceed one-half (%) the tabulated bearing pressures.
726.5 VERTICAL PRESSURES: The computed vertical pressure at any level
beneath a foundation shall not exceed the allowable bearing pressures
for the material at that level. Computation of the vertical pressure in
the bearing materials at any depth below a foundation shall be made on
the assumption that the load is spread uniformly at an angle of sixty
(60) degrees with the horizontal; but the area considered as supporting
the load shall not extend beyond the intersection of sixty (60) degree
planes of adjacent foundations.
726.6 DISTURBANCE OF BEARING MATERIALS: Whenever the bearing materials
are disturbed from any cause, for example, by the inward or upward flow
of water and/or by construction activities, the extent of the disturbance
shall be evaluated by a registered professional engineer and appropriate
remedial measures taken, satisfactory to the building official.
SECTION 727.0 SPREAD FOUNDATIONS
Except when erected upon sound bedrock or when protected from frost,
foundation walls, piers and other permanent supports of all buildings
and structures shall extend a minimum of four (4) feet below finished
grade; except as provided in section 727.21. Spread footings of adequate
size shall be provided when necessary to properly distribute the load
within the allowable bearing pressure of the soil.
7-23A
727.1 DEPTH OF SPREAD FOUNDATIONS: The bottom surface of any footing
resting on material of classes 4 to 15, inclusive, shall be at least
eighteen (18) inches below the lowest ground surface or the surface of a
floor slab bearing directly on the soil immediately adjacent to the
footing.
727.2 LIGHT STRUCTURES: One-story structures without masonry walls and
not exceeding eight hundred (800) square feet in area may be founded on
a layer of satisfactory bearing material not less than three (3) feet
thick, which is underlain by highly compressible material, provided that
the stresses induced in the unsatisfactory material by the live and dead
loads of the structure and the weight of any new fill, within or adjacent
to the building area, will not exceed two hundred and fifty (250) pounds
per square foot.
727.21 GRADE BEAMS: Grade beams of all structures may extend not more
than two (2) feet below the adjoining surface exposed to natural freezing
if the underlying soil to a depth of at least four (4) feet beneath the
surface, and extending at least four (4) feet outside the building is
sand, gravel, cinders, or other granular materials containing nor more
than five (5) percent (by weight) passing a No. 200 mesh sieve.
727.22 ISOLATED FOOTINGS: Footings on granular soil of classes 5 to 16
inclusive in table 7-4 shall be so located that the line drawn between
the lower edges of adjoining footings shall not have a steeper slope
than thirty (30) degrees with the vertical, unless the material supporting
the higher footing is braced or retained or otherwise laterally supported
in an approved manner .
SECTION 728.0 FOOTING DESIGN
728.1 DESIGN LOADS: The loads to be used in computing the pressure
upon bearing materials directly underlying foundations shall be the live
and dead loads of the structure, as specified in section 820 including
the weight of the foundations and of any immediately overlying material,
but deducting from the resulting pressure per square foot the total
weight of a one (1) square foot column of soil, including the water in
its voids, which extends from the lowest immediately adjacent surface of
the soil to the bottom of the footing, pier or mat. Foundations shall
be constructed so as to resist the maximum probable hydrostatic pressures.
728.2 PRESSURE DUE TO LATERAL LOADS: Where the pressure on the bearing
material due to wind or other lateral loads is less than one-third (1/3)
of that due to dead and live loads, it may be neglected in the founda-
tion design. Where this ratio exceeds one-third (1/3), foundations
shall be so proportioned that the pressure due to combined dead, live,
wind loads, and other lateral loads shall not exceed the allowable
bearing pressures by more than one-third (1/3).
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728.3 EARTHQUAKE LOADS: Special provision shall be made in the founda-
tion design to comply with the provisions of section 718.
728.4 VIBRATORY LOADS: Where machinery or other vibrations may be
transmitted through the foundations, consideration shall be given in the
design of the footings to prevent detrimental disturbances of the soil.
728.5 ECCENTRIC LOADS: Eccentricity of loadings in foundations shall
be fully investigated, and the maximum pressure on the basis of straight-
line distribution shall not exceed the allowable bearing pressures.
SECTION 729.0 TIMBER FOOTINGS (DELETED)
SECTION 730.0 STEEL GRILLAGES
Structural steel grillage foundations shall have at least six (6)
inches of concrete cover below the bottom of the steel and shall have at
least four (4) inches of concrete cover above the steel and between the
sides of the steel and the adjacent soil.
SECTION 731.0 UNREINFORCED CONCRETE FOOTINGS
731.1 CONCRETE STRENGTH: Concrete in unreinforced foundation footings
shall be so proportioned as to develop an ultimate compressive strength
of not less than two thousand (2,000) pounds per square inch at twenty-
eight (28) days.
731.2 PLACEMENT: No concrete for foundations shall be poured through
water. When placed under or in the presence of water, the concrete
shall be deposited by approved and properly operated equipment which
insures minimum segregation of the mix and negligible turbulence of the
water.
731.3 DIMENSIONS: In unreinforced concrete footings, the edge thick-
ness shall be not less than twelve (12) inches for footings on soil or
rock; except for wood frame buildings up to two (2) stories in height,
these thicknesses may be reduced to eight (8) inches.
731.4 PROTECTION: Concrete footings shall be protected from freezing
during construction and for a period of not less than five (5) days
thereafter, and in no case shall water be allowed to flow through the
deposited concrete.
SECTION 732.0 MASONRY UNIT FOOTINGS
732.1 DIMENSIONS: Masonry unit footings shall be laid in type M or S
mortar complying with section 816 and the depth shall be not less
7-25
than twice the projection beyond the wall, pier or column; and the
width shall be not less than eight (8) inches wider than the wall
supported thereon.
732.2 OFFSETS: The maximum offset of each course in brick foundation
walls stepped up from the footings shall be one and one-half (1 1/2)
inches if laid in single courses, and three (3) inches if laid in
double courses.
SECTION 733.0 REINFORCED CONCRETE FOOTINGS
733.1 DESIGN: Reinforced concrete foundations shall comply with
section 842 and the applicable reference standards therein listed
for the design of reinforced concrete.
733.2 PILE CAPS: The minimum distance from the edge of the cap to
the nearest pile surface shall be six (6) inches and there shall be
at least two (2) inches of concrete between the top of the pile and
the steel reinforcement of the cap. The pile caps shall extend not
less than three (3) inches below the pile cutoff.
733.3 PROTECTION: When the concrete is deposited directly against
the ground, the reinforcement shall have a minimum cover of three
(3) inches, at all other surfaces of foundation concrete, the rein-
forcement shall have a minimum cover of two (2) inches.
SECTION 734.0 FLOATING FOUNDATIONS
The design of floating foundations shall include a settlement
analysis in accordance with the provisions of section 725.9.
SECTION 735.0 PILE FOUNDATIONS
735.1 SITE INVESTIGATION: In addition to the provisions of section
724.0, the building site shall be investigated for all conditions
which might promote deterioration of pile foundations, and approved
protective measures meeting the requirements of section 736.0 shall
be taken to prevent corrosion or other destructive action from
deleterious conditions.
735.2 SPACING: The minimum center-to-center spacing of piles shall
be not less than twice the average diameter of a round pile, nor less
than one and three-quarter (1 3/4) times the diagonal dimension of a
rectangular pile. When driven to or penetrating into rock, the
spacing shall be not less than twenty-four inches . When receiving
principal support from end-bearing on materials other than rock or
through frictional resistance, the spacing shall be not less than
thirty (30) inches.
7-26
735.3 WALLS: All piles in wall foundations shall be staggered about
the center line of the wall at a minimum distance of one-half (1/2)
the top diameter therefrom. A foundation wall restrained laterally
so as to ensure stability both during and after construction may be
supported by a single row of piles.
735.4 ISOLATED COLUMNS: An isolated column when supported by piles
shall rest upon not less than three (3) piles, at least one (1) of
which is offset; except that for one (1) story buildings an isolated
column may rest upon two (2) piles when its axis is not more than
one and one-half (1 1/2) inches off the line connecting the centers of the
two (2) piles; or upon a single pile when other than wood or wood-
composite piles are used and its axis is not more than one and one-
half (1 1/2) inches off the center of the pile, provided the top of
the pile is laterally supported.
735.5 MINIMUM DIMENSIONS: Piles of uniform cross section shall have
a minimum outside nominal dimension of ten (10) inches except as pro-
vided in section 739.2. Tapered concrete piles shall have a minimum
butt diameter at cutoff of twelve (12) inches and a diameter of not
less than eight (8) inches measured one (1) foot above the tip.
735.6 SPLICES: Splices shall be avoided insofar as practicable.
Where used, splices shall be such that the resultant vertical and
lateral loads at the splices are adequately transmitted. Splices
shall be so constructed as to provide and maintain true alignment
and position of the component parts of the pile during installation
and subsequent thereto. The ends of each section of steel pipe or
other steel elements shall be cut perpendicular to the axis and
bearing surfaces shall be true-fitted with milled or ground faces
or by flame cutting or other approved method. Splices shall develop
one hundred (100) percent of the strength of pile section in what-
ever state of stress.
735.7 JETTING: Jetted piles shall be driven to the required load
resistance as determined by the application of the approved pile
driving formula in section 737.21, after the flow of jet water has
stopped.
735.8 PRECAUTIONS: When piles have been damaged in driving, or
driven in locations and alignment other than those indicated on the
plans, or that have capacities less than required by the design,
the affected pile groups and pile caps shall be investigated and
if necessary, the pile groups or pile caps shall be redesigned or
additional piles shall be driven to replace the defective piles.
Piles shall be driven to embedment in the supporting stratum, as
determined by borings.
735.9 PILE HEAVE: Adequate provision shall be made to observe pile
heave, and where heaving of one-half (1/2) inch or more occurs,
corrective measures shall be taken to ensure that the pile is
adequate for its design use.
7-27
735.10 RECORDS: The owner shall engage a competent inspector, quali-
fied by experience and training and satisfactory to the building
official to be present at all times while piles are being driven
and to inspect all work in connection with the piles . The inspector
shall make an accurate record of the material and the principal dimen-
sions of each pile, of the weight and fall of the ram, the type, size,
and make of hammer, the number of blows per minute, the energy per
blow, the number of blows per inch for the last six (6) inches of
driving, together with the grades at point and cutoff. A copy of
these records shall be filed in the office of the building official.
SECTION 736.0 CORROSION PROTECTION
Where boring records, previous experience, or site investigations
indicate any condition which might promote deterioration or possible
deleterious action on pile materials due to soil constituents, changing
water levels or other causes, such pile materials shall be adequately
protected as stated herein.
736.1 PRESERVATIVE TREATMENTS: The preservative treatment of timber
piles shall comply with the provisions of section 738.0 and the
reference standards of this article.
736.2 STEEL AND STEEL-CONCRETE PILES: At locations where steel and
steel-concrete piles will be in contact with any material which is
corrosive to the steel, one of the following procedures shall be used
for protection, or any other method which will satisfy the requirements
of the building official:
a) remove all objectionable material.
b) effectively protect the steel surface from pile cutoff grade
to a grade fifteen (15) feet below the bottom of the objec-
tionable material by means of :
1) cathodic protection as approved by the building official; or
2) an approved encasement of not less than three (3) inches
of dense concrete; or
.3) an effective protective coating subject to the approval
of the building official; or
4) providing an excess thickness of one-eighth (1/8) inch
beyond design requirements on all exposed surfaces.
SECTION 737.0 ALLOWABLE PILE LOADS
The allowable load on piles shall be determined by the applicable
formulas complying with accepted engineering practice and as stated
7-28
herein. The maximum load capacity shall be limited by the supporting
capacity as obtained from bearing upon or embedment in bearing materials
as defined in sections 723 and 726, but in no case shall the load
exceed the capacity of the pile designed in accordance with the pro-
visions of section 737.1 and the requirements of article 8 for the
construction materials involved.
737.1 LATERAL SUPPORT OF AXIALLY LOADED PILES: The length of a pile
below the ground surface shall be considered as a plain column with
continuous lateral support. The length above the ground surface shall
be designed as an unsupported column in accordance with the provisions
of section 746.
737.2 DETERMINATION OF ALLOWABLE LOAD: In the absence of capacities
based on load tests, except for the type of piles covered in sections
740.2 and 742.0, the load on a single pile shall not exceed the higher
of the two (2) values determined in accordance with sections 737.2
and 737.22, nor the maximum loads on piles as provided in section
737.23.
737.21 DRIVING FORMULA:
a) Where the design load capacity of the pile does not exceed
fifty (50) tons, the allowable load may be computed by means
of the following driving formula:
R = 2E/(S + C)
where
R = allowable pile load in pounds
E = energy per blow in foot pounds
S = penetration of last blow or average penetration of
last few blows experienced in inches
C = Constant equal to 1.0 for drop hammer and 0.1 for
steam or air hammer.
b) When the design load capacity of a pile exceeds fifty (50)
tons the required driving resistance shall be increased
above that required by the driving foirmula in section 737.21a,
based on load tests or past experience under similar conditions,
c) The value of "s" must be determined with the hammer operating
at one hundred (100) percent of the rated number of blows per
minute for which the hammer is designed.
d) Any driving resistance developed in strata overlying the
bearing material shall be discounted.
e) If the driving of the pile has been interruped for more than
one (1) hour, the value of "s" shall not be determined until
7-29
the pile is driven at least an additional twelve (12) inches,
except when it encounters refusal on or in a material of
classes 1 to 5 inclusive.
f) When the constant tapered portion of a pile, including a timber
pile, is driven through a layer of gravel, sand or hard clay
(classes 6 to 10 inclusive, and class 14) exceeding five (5)
feet in thickness, and through an underlying soft stratum, the
bearing capacity shall not be determined in accordance with the
driving formula, unless jetting is used during the entire
driving of the tapered portion of the pile through the layer
of gravel, sand, hard clay or class 14 material, or unless a
hole is pre-excavated through said layer for each pile.
737.22 FRICTION FORMULA IN CLAY: The allowable load on a pile stopped
in inorganic clay may be based on a friction value of five hundred (500)
pounds per square foot of embedded pile surface for a design load not
to exceed twenty-two (22) tons, or on a friction value determined from
pile load tests. The embedded length shall be the length of the pile
below the surface of the inorganic clay, or below the surface of
immediately-overlying satisfactory bearing material. The area of
embedded pile surface shall be computed by multiplying the embedded
length by the perimeter of the smallest circle or polygon that can be
circumscribed around the average section of the embedded length of
the pile. The method of determining the allowable load described in
this paragraph shall not be used for a pile in which the drive-pipe
is withdrawn or for piles which are driven through the clay to or
into firmer bearing materials.
In case these piles are in clusters the allowable load shall be
computed for the smaller of the following two (2) areas: (1) the
sum of the embedded pile surfaces of individual piles; (2) the area
obtained by multiplying the perimeter of the polygon circumscribing
the cluster at the surface of the satisfactory bearing material by
the average embedded length of pile.
737.23 JACKED PILES: The allowable load on a single pile installed
by jacking shall not exceed one-half (1/2) the load applied to the
pile at the completion of jacking, provided that the final load is
kept constant for a period of four (4) hours and that the settlement
during that period does not exceed one-twentieth (1/20) of an inch.
737.3 NEGATIVE FRICTION: Where a pile or a group of piles is placed
in subsiding fill or soil, the effect of the downward frictional forces
shall be given consideration in the design.
737.4 LIMITING LOAD: Where weaker materials underlie the bearing
material into which the piles are driven, the allowable pile load
shall be limited by the provision that the vertical pressures in such
underlying materials produced by the loads on all piles in a foundation
shall not exceed the allowable bearing pressures of such materials as
7-30
established by analysis, applying accepted principles of soil mechanics.
Piles or pile groups shall be assumed to transfer their loads to the
underlying materials by spreading the load uniformly at an angle of
sixty (60) degrees with the horizontal, starting at a polygon circum-
scribing the piles at the top of the satisfactory bearing material in
which they are embedded; but the area considered as supporting the load
shall not extend beyond the intersection of the sixty (60) degree planes
of adjacent piles or pile groups.
737.41 PILE LOAD LIMITATION: The allowable load on a pile shall not be
limited to the load obtained by multiplying its point area by the allowable
bearing pressure given in section 723.0.
737.42 LIQUEFACTION DURING EARTHQUAKE: The requirements of section
723.3 shall be considered in the design of pile foundations. If pile
tips lie above soil which does not meet the criteria in figures 7-7 and
7-8, special studies shall be made by a qualified registered professional
engineer or architect to ensure safety during the design earthquake
specified in section 718.7.
SECTION 738.0 TIMBER PILES
738.1 SPECIES: Piles shall be of type I species, type II species or
other species approved for such use by the building official.
a) type I species shall include southern yellow pine, oak,
Douglas fir and other woods of similar strength and physical
characteristics .
b) type II species shall include Norway pine, spruce and other
woods of similar strength and physical characteristics.
738.2 QUALITY REQUIREMENTS: The quality of all round timber piles
shall at least conform to class A and B, round timber piles listed in
the reference standards of this article.
Round timber piles shall be cut above the ground swell, have a continuous
taper from the point of butt measurement to the tip and be free from
decay, red heart or insect attack. All knots and limbs shall be trimmed
or smoothly cut flush with the surface of the pile or swell surrounding
the knot. A straight line from the center of the butt to the center of
the tip shall lie entirely within the body of the pile. The axis of a
wood pile shall not deviate from a straight line more than one (1) inch
for each ten (10) feet of length. Short crooks shall not deviate more
than two and one-half (2 1/2) inches in five (5) feet. Spiral grain
shall not exceed one-half (1/2) of a complete twist in any twenty (20)
feet of length; unsound or cluster knots are prohibited and splits and
shakes are limited.
738.3 MINIMUM DIMENSIONS:
a) piles shall be of adequate size to resist the applied loads
without having to endure compressive stress parallel with
the grain in excess of the following:
1) six hundred (600) pounds per square inch for type I species
of wood or four hundred twenty-five (425) pounds per square
7-31
inch for type II species of wood on the pile cross section
located at the surface of the bearing stratum for piles
driven into materials of classes 6 through 10.
2) three hundred sixty (360) pounds per square inch for type I
species of wood or two hundred fifty-five (255) pounds per
square inch for type II species of wood on the pile cross
section at the tips of piles driven to bearing on materials
of classes 1 through 5.
b) the piles shall measure at least six (6) inches in diameter at
the tip and at least ten (10) inches in diameter at the cutoff,
with these measurements being taken under the bark.
c) all piles shall be driven in one (1) piece except as provided
in section 744.0 for composite piles.
738.4 CUTOFF: The tops of all timber piles shall be cut off in a
horizontal plane; and if not treated by an approved preservative process,
the cutoff shall be below mean low water level or lowest ground water
level, and shall be subject to the building official's approval. He may
require the oxsnier to install and maintain in good condition at least one
(1) ground water observation well within the building, which shall be
accessible to the building official.
738.5 TREATED PILES: Timber piles pressure- treated with creosote or
creosote-coal-tar solution, and conforming to the requirements of this
section, may be cut off above permanent ground water level when used for
the support of buildings not exceeding two (2) stories in height.
738.51 TREATMENT: Creosoted wood piles of southern yellow pine,
Douglas fir, red oak or Norway pine shall be creosoted under pressure in
accordance with the reference standards of this article to a final net
retention of not less than twenty (20) pounds per cubic foot of creosote
for piles exposed to sea water and not less than twelve (12) pounds of
creosote per cubic foot for piles for other normal exposure. The tops of
such piles at cutoff shall be given three (3) coats of hot creosote,
followed by a coat of coal-tar pitch; and the cutoff shall be made in
sound wood and be encased not less than three (3) inches in the concrete
pile cap.
738.52 CERTIFICATION: Before any treated piles are driven, the building
official shall be furnished with certification by a licensed testing
laboratory, certifying that piles were free of decay, were properly
peeled and otherwise prepared before treatment; and that the method of
treatment, the chemical composition and the amount of retention of the
preservative conform to the requirements of this section.
738.6 MAXIMUM LOAD ON WOOD PILES: The load on a wood pile shall not
exceed the allowable load specified in section 737. For timber piles
driven into material of classes 6 through 10, the area at the surface
7-32
of the bearing stratum shall be used to compute the allowable load.
The maximum load on a timber pile shall not exceed thirty-five (35)
tons.
738.7 PRECAUTIONS IN DRIVING: To avoid damage to the pile, the size
of the hammer shall be such that the driving energy in foot-pounds
per blow shall not exceed numerically the point diameter of the pile
in inches multiplied by fifteen hundred (1500) . The total driving
energy in foot-pounds for six (6) inches of penetration shall for all
types of hammers be numerically no greater than the point diameter in
inches times thirty-two thousand (32,000) for type I species of wood
or times twenty-two thousand (22,000) for type II species of wood.
For the last inch of penetration, the energy in foot-pounds shall not
exceed numerically the point diameter in inches multiplied by six
thousand (6,000). In any case, driving shall be stopped immediately
when abrupt high resistance to penetration is encountered. Any sudden
decrease in driving resistance shall be investigated with regard to
the possibility of breakage of the pile; and if such sudden decrease
in driving resistance cannot be correlated to boring data, and if the
pile cannot be removed for inspection, it shall be considered adequate
reason for rejection of the pile.
SECTION 739.0 PRECAST CONCRETE PILES
739.1 CONCRETE STRENGTH: No precast concrete pile shall be driven
before the concrete has attained a compressive strength of not less
than four thousand (4,000) pounds per square inch based on tests of
cylinders cast from the same batches and cured under the same con-
ditions as the pile concrete. These piles shall be so proportioned,
cast, cured, handled and driven as to resist without significant
cracking the stresses induced by handling and driving as well as by
loads.
739.2 DESIGN: The piles shall be designed and reinforced in accor-
dance with the applicable reinforced concrete regulations cited in
section 842.0. If for any reason the pile is injured, or the rein-
forcement is exposed, its use shall be condemned. The lateral
reinforcement at both ends of the pile shall be spaced sufficiently
close to resist impact stresses due to driving and in no case more
than three (3) inches on center. When driven to or into bearing
materials of classes 1 to 5 inclusive, or through materials containing
boulders, they shall have metal tips of approved design. The minimum
lateral dimension of a precast concrete pile shall be ten (10) inches.
739.3 LIMITATION OF LOAD: The load on a precast concrete pile shall
not exceed the allowable load specified in section 737 nor twenty-
five (25) percent of the twenty-eight (28) day strength of the concrete,
but not exceeding twelve hundred (1200) pounds per square inch. For
prestressed concrete piles twenty-five (25) percent of the effective
prestress in the concrete after losses shall be deducted from twenty-
7-33
five (25) percent of the twenty-eight (28) day strength or twelve
hundred (1200) pounds, whichever is less, in computing the maximum pile
load.
739.4 PROTECTION: A minimum covering of two (2) inches of concrete
shall be provided over all reinforcements, except that for piles to be
exposed to sea water and other severe environments, a three (3) inch
protective covering shall be furnished in the zone of such exposure.
739.5 MINIMUM SPACING: The minimum spacing center-to-center of precast
concrete piles shall be two and one-half (2 1/2) times the square root
of the cross-sectional area at the butt.
739.6 SPLICES: One splice shall be permitted in precast concrete
piles.
SECTION 740.0 CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE PILES
In this section a distinction is made between poured-concrete piles
and compacted-concrete piles. A poured-concrete pile is formed by
pouring concrete into a driven casing that is permanently installed in
the ground. A compacted-concrete pile is formed by placing concrete
having a zero (0) slump, in small batches, and compacting each batch.
All cast-in-place concrete piles shall be so made and placed as to
ensure the exclusion of all foreign matter and to secure a well-formed
unit of full cross-section. The minimum strength of concrete for cast-
in-place piles shall be three thousand (3000) pounds per square inch.
While placing the concrete the casing or drive-pipe shall contain not
more than three (3) inches of water.
740.1 POURED CONCRETE PILES
740.11 DESIGN: The shape of the pile may be cylindrical, or conical,
or a combination thereof, or it may be a succession of cylinders of
equal length, with the change in diameter of adjoining cylinders not
exceeding one (1) inch.
740.12 LOADING: The load on poured-concrete piles shall not exceed the
allowable load specified in 737 nor twenty-five (25) percent of the
twenty-eight (28) day strength of the concrete, but not exceeding eleven
hundred (1100) pounds per square inch, when applied to the cross-sectional
area computed on the following bases:
a) For metal-cased piles driven to and into materials of classes
1 to 4 inclusive, using the diameter measured one (1) foot
above the point, except that when the rock is immediately
overlain by a bearing stratum consisting of one (1) or a
combination of bearing materials of classes 5, 6 and 7,
using the diameter at the surface of the bearing stratum.
7-34
b) For metal-cased piles, driven through compressible materials
including classes 11, 12, 13 and 15 and into a bearing stratum
consisting of one (1) or a combination of bearing materials of
classes 5 to 10 inclusive, using the diameter at the surface
of the bearing stratum.
740.13 INSTALLATION: Immediately before filling with concrete, the
inside of the casing shall be thoroughly cleaned to the bottom and
subjected to a visual examination. The casing shall be subject to the
following limitations:
a) the diameter shall not vary more than twenty (20) percent
from the specified value;
b) the point of the casing shall not deviate more than ten (10)
percent of the length of the pile from the design alignment;
and
c) the casing shall not deviate by more than four (4) percent of
the length of the casing from the straight line connecting the
mid-points of the ends of the casing. Any other condition
which may affect the design performance shall be duly noted
and evaluated subject to the requirements of the building
official. No casing or drive-pipe shall be filled with concrete
until all casings or drive-pipes within a radius of seven (7)
feet, or within the heave range, whichever is greater, have
been driven to the required resistance.
740.2 COMPACTED CONCRETE PILES
740.21 LOADING: The load on compacted concrete piles shall be limited
by the provisions of section 737.41 except that the circumscribing
polygon shall start at the junction of the shaft and the enlarged base,
and the bearing area shall be taken at planes six (6) feet or more below
said junction; and the allowable load on a compacted concrete pile
shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) tons.
740.22 INSTALLATION: The installation of such piles shall fulfill the
following-listed requirements:
a) The drive-pipe used for installing the piles shall be not less
than twenty (20) inches outside diameter for piles which have
an allowable load of eighty-five (85) tons or greater, and not
less than sixteen (16) inches outside diameter for piles which
have an allowable load of less than eighty-five (85) tons.
For loads less than fifty (50) tons, smaller drive casings
may be used subject to the approval of the building official.
b) The enlarged base of the pile shall be formed on or in bearing
materials of classes 1 to 9 inclusive. The class 9 material
(fine sand) shall have a maximum of six (6) percent by weight
7-35
finer than the No. 200 mesh sieve and shall be non-plastic.
c) The concrete in the base shall have a minimum compressive
strength at twenty-eight (28) days of four thousand (4,000)
pounds per square inch, shall be of zero (0) slump, and
shall be placed in batches not to exceed five (5) cubic feet
in volume.
d) The last batch of concrete shall be driven into the enlarged
base with not less than twenty-five (25) blows, each of not
less than one hundred and forty thousand (140,000) foot pounds.
For lower allowable loads , the required number of blows on
the last batch shall vary in proportion to the allowable load.
On the basis of test data, and subject to approval by the
building official, the hammer blow energy may be reduced, in
which case the number of blows on the last batch shall vary
inversely with the energy delivered per blow.
e) During injection of the last five (5) cubic feet the level of
concrete in the drive casing shall be not more than six (6)
inches above the bottom of the casing.
f) As the drive-pipe is being withdrawn, not less than two (2)
blows of at least forty thousand (40,000) foot-pounds each
shall be applied to compact each batch of concrete in an
uncased shaft.
g) An uncased shaft shall not be formed through inorganic clay
or inorganic silt unless a hole is made through such soil by
a non-displacement method, at least equal to the inside diameter
of the drive-pipe unless the individual piles are located more
than nine (9) feet apart and outside the heave range. Com-
pacted concrete piles shall have cased shafts when spaced
closer than nine (9) feet apart and when installed through
inorganic clay or inorganic silt .
h) An uncased shaft shall not be formed through peat or other
organic soils.
i) The permanent metal casing shall be fastened to the enlarged
base in such a manner that the two (2) will not separate. The
concrete may be placed in the metal casing in the same manner
as for poured-concrete piles. No metal casing shall be filled
with concrete until after all piles within a radius of at least
nine (9) feet have been driven. The stresses in metal-cased
shafts shall not exceed eleven hundred (1100) pounds per
square inch on the concrete, and in addition, nine-thousand
five hundred (9,500) pounds per square inch on the steel
casing, provided that its wall thickness is at least two-
tenths (2/10) of an inch. When required by soil conditions,
allowance shall be made for corrosion as specified in
section 738.
7-36
740.23 SPACING: The center-to-center spacing of piles shall be not
less than three (3) times the shaft diameter and not less than three
and one-half (3 1/2) feet.
SECTION 741.0 CONCRETE-FILLED PIPE PILES
741.1 INSTALLATION: Immediately before filling with concrete, the
inside of the casing shall be thorough cleaned to the bottom and
subjected to a visual inspection. The casing shall be subject to
the following limitations:
a) the diameter shall not vary more than twenty (20) percent
from the specified value;
b) the point of the casing shall not deviate more than ten (10)
percent of the length of the pile from the design alignment;
and
c) the casing shall not deviate by more than six (6) percent of
the length of the casing from the straight line connecting
the mid-points of the ends of the casing. Any other condition
which may affect the design performance shall be duly noted
and evaluated subject to the requirements of the building
official. Concrete shall not be placed through water; except
that the building official may approve the use of a properly
operated tremie or pumped concrete in still water, provided
the pipe is proven to be free of other material.
741.2 STEEL PIPE: All steel pipe shall conform to the applicable
standards listed in the reference standards of this article for
welded and seamless steel pipe and tubes, and for hot-rolled carbon
steel sheets. The yield point used in the design of steel casings
shall be that of the fabricated element as determined by test.
741.3 DESIGN: The load on concrete-filled pipe piles shall not
exceed the allowable load determined in accordance with section 737.0,
nor a load computed on the basis of stress in concrete at twenty-five
(25) percent of the twenty-eight (28) day strength, but not exceeding
eleven hundred (1100) pounds per square inch, and stress in the steel
at nine thousand (9,000) pounds per square inch; nor shall the load
carried by the steel on this basis exceed one-half (1/2) the total
load on the pile.
741.4 MINIMUM THICKNESS: The minimum wall thickness of all load-
bearing pipe, tubes and shells shall be one-tenth (1/10) inches.
When required by soil conditions, allowance shall be made for cor-
rosion as specified in section 736.
741.5 SPLICES: All splices of the steel section shall be welded to
one hundred (100) percent of the strength of the pipe and otherwise
shall comply with section 735.6 and shall be designed to insure true
7-37
alignment of the pipe and uniform transmission of load from one (1)
pipe length to another.
SECTION 7 A 2.0 CONCRETE-FILLED PIPE WITH STEEL CORE
(DRILLED-IN-CAISSONS)
742.1 CONSTRUCTION: These units shall consist of a shaft section
of concrete-filled pipe extended to and firmly seated in bedrock
of classes 1 or 2 with an uncased socket drilled into the bedrock
which is filled with cement grout. The steel core shall be centered
in the shaft and shall extend through the cement grout to the bottom
of the socket.
742.2 STEEL SHELL: The steel shell shall be seamless or welded
steel pipe with a minimum yield point of thirty-three thousand
(33,000) pounds per square inch, fitted with an approved cutting shoe
and structural cap, or with other approved means of transmitting the
superstructure load. The minimtim diameter for drilled caissons shall
be twenty-four (24) inches and minimum shell thickness five-sixteenths
(5/16) inches. Steel shall be protected under the conditions specified
in section 738. Splices shall be welded to develop one hundred (100)
percent of the strength of the pipe.
742.3 CONCRETE FILL: The concrete fill of caissons shall be con-
trolled concrete with a minimum compressive strength of four thousand
(4,000) pounds per square inch at twenty-eight (28) days. It shall
be so placed that it shall fill completely the space between the
steel core and the pipe. In case the socket cannot be kept free
from inflow of water, the pipe shall be filled to its top with clean
water before placing the cement grout. The details of the design
and installation, including the cleaning and inspection of the socket,
the placement of concrete under water or in the dry, the method of
centering the steel core, and all other phases of the work shall be
submitted to the building official for approval.
742.4 ROCK SOCKET: A socket, approximately the inside diameter of
the pipe, shall be made in bedrock of classes 1 or 2 to a depth that
will assure load transfer when computed for a bearing on the bottom
surface of the socket in accordance with sections 725 and 728 acting
together with a bond stress on the perimeter surface of the socket
of one hundred (100) pounds per square inch. Before placement of
concrete the socket and pipe shall be thoroughly cleaned and the rock
inspected by a qualified registered professional engineer.
742.5 STEEL CORE: The steel core shall consist of a structural
steel member. The mating ends of the sections shall be spliced so
to safely withstand the stresses to which they may be subjected.
The minimum clearance between structural core and shell shall be
two (2) inches. When such cores are installed in more than one (1)
length, they shall be assembled to develop the full compressive
strength of the section.
7-38
742.6 DRIVING PRECAUTIONS: No drilled caissons shall be driven more
than two (2) percent of the length out of plumb.
742.7 SPACING: The minimum center-to-center spacing shall be not
less than two and one-half (2 1/2) times the outside diameter of the
steel shell.
742.8 ALLOWABLE LOAD: The load on concrete-filled pipe piles with
steel cores shall not exceed the allowable load determined in accor-
dance with the provisions of section 744.4 nor that computed on the
basis of eleven hundred (1100) pounds per square inch on the area of
the concrete plus nine thousand (9,000) pounds per square inch on th(
net area of the steel pipe plus sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds per
square inch on the area of the steel core.
SECTION 743.0 STRUCTURAL STEEL PILES
743.1 STEEL: Steel sections may be of any type of steel permitted
by the provisions of the reference standards of this article.
a) Rolled structural steel piles shall be of H form, with flange
projection not exceeding fourteen (14) times the minimvim
thickness of metal in either flange or web and with total
flange width at least eighty-five (85) percent of the depth
of the section. No section shall have a nominal thickness of
metal less than four-tenths (4/10) inch, nor a nominal depth
in the direction of the web of less than eight (8) inches.
b) The use of built-up sections or sections of other than H
form will be permitted if the several components of the section
are adequately connected to develop the strength of the adjacent
components and if the ratio of width to thickness of the com-
ponent parts does not exceed the values for conventional H
sections.
c) The tips of all steel H piles having a thickness of metal less
than five-tenths (5/10) inches which are driven to end bearing
on rock of class 1 through 3 by an impact hammer, shall be
reinforced. The installation of all steel H piles by impact
hammer to end bearing on rock of classes 1 through 3 shall be
conducted so as to terminate driving directly when the pile
reaches refusal on the rock surface.
d) Structural caps shall be rigidly attached to the pile section
and shall be designed to transfer the full load into the piles;
except that when the pile extends into the footing sufficiently
to develop the full load by bond, or to permit the use of
mechanical devices to develop the full load by shear, structural
caps shall not be required.
743.2 SPLICES: If piles are spliced, the splice shall develop one
hundred (100) percent of the strength of the section.
7-39
743.3 PROTECTION: Structural steel piles shall be protected under the
conditions specified in section 736 or due allowance shall be made for
corrosion as therein specified.
743.4 ALLOWABLE LOAD: The load on such piles shall not exceed the
allowable load determined in accordance with section 737, nor a load
based on stress of eleven thousand (11,000) pounds per square inch on
the cross-section.
SECTION 744.0 COMPOSITE PILES
744.1 DESIGN: A composite pile shall consist of a combination of not
more than two (2) of any of the different types of piles provided for in
this part. The pile shall fulfill the requirements for each type, and
in addition the provisions of this section. The requirements of section
740.13 shall apply to the entire length of a pipe-shell composite pile.
744.2 LIMITATION OF LOAD: The allowable load on composite piles shall
be that allowed for the weaker of the two (2) sections. For wood-com-
posite piles the allowable load shall not exceed eighty (80) percent of
that allowed for the wood section alone. Wood-shell composite piles
shall not be used for support of buildings exceeding two (2) stories in
height.
744.3 SPLICES: Splices between concrete sections and steel or wood
sections shall be designed to prevent separation of the sections both
before and after the concrete portion has set, and to insure the align-
ment and transmission of the total pile load. Splices shall be designed
to resist uplift due to upheaval during driving of adjacent piles and
shall develop the full compressive strength and not less than fifty (50)
percent of the strength in tension and bending of the weaker section.
744.4 SPACING: The center-to-center spacing shall be governed by the
larger of the spacings required in this part for the types composing the
pile.
SECTION 745.0 SPECIAL PILES AND CAISSONS
Types of piles or caissons not specifically covered by the provisions
of this Code may be permitted subject to the approval of the building
official, provided sufficient test data, design and construction infor-
mation are filed by a qualified registered professional engineer certi-
fying that the pile or caisson installation is adequate to fulfill the
design requirements.
SECTION 746.0 LATERAL SUPPORT
746.1 SURROUNDING MATERIALS: Any soil other than water or fluid soil
including strata of soil not meeting the criterion in figure 7-7,
shall be deemed to afford sufficient lateral support to permit the
7-40
design of any type of pile as a short column. When piles are driven
through soil which will be removed subsequent at the completion of the
foundation, the resistance offered by such material shall not be con-
sidered to contribute to the lateral supporting capacity.
746.2 COLUMN ACTION: The portion of a pile or pier that is not later-
ally supported shall be designed as a column in accordance with section
842 and taking into consideration the conditions of end fixity.
SECTION 747.0 FOUNDATION PIERS
A foundation pier is here defined as a structural member which
extends to a satisfactory bearing material, and which may be constructed
in an excavation that afterwards is backfilled by an approved method, or
by filling the excavation with concrete, or which may be built by
sinking an open or pneumatic caisson.
747.1 MANNER OF CONSTRUCTION: The manner of construction shall be by
non-displacement methods and shall permit inspection of the bearing
material in place.
747.2 BASE ENLARGEMENT: The bases of foundation piers may be enlarged
by spread footings, pedestals or belled bottoms.
747.21 BELLED BASES: Bell-shaped bases shall have a minimum edge
thickness of four (4) inches. The bell roof shall slope not less than
sixty (60) degrees with the horizontal unless the base is designed in
accordance with section 841 or 842.
747.3 DESIGN OF PIERS: Foundation piers may be designed as concrete
columns with continuous lateral support. The unit compressive stress in
the concrete at the least cross section shall not exceed twenty-five
(25) percent of the twenty-eight (28) day strength of the concrete nor
eleven hundred (1100) pounds per square inch.
747.31 When the center of the cross section of a foundation pier at any
level deviates from the resultant of all forces more than one-sixtieth
(1/60) of its height, or more than one-tenth of its diameter, it shall
be reinforced as provided in section 842. The restraining effect of the
surrounding soil may be taken into account.
747.4 PLACEMENT: With approval of the building official, concrete may
be placed through still water by means of a properly operated tremie or^
pumped concrete.
747.5 INSPECTION: The owner shall engage a competent inspector,
qualified by experience and training and satisfactory to the building
official, to be present at all times while foundation piers are being
installed, to inspect and approve the bearing soil and the placing of
the concrete. The inspector shall make a record of the type of
7-41
bearing soil upon which the pier rests, of the dimensions of the pier,
and of the class of concrete used in its construction. A copy of these
records shall be filed in the office of the building official.
SECTION 748.0 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOODPLAINS AND COASTAL HIGH
HAZARD AREAS
748.1 STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS: Where a structure is located in an area
designated by the authority having jurisdiction as a floodplain area or
coastal high hazard area, such a structure shall be designed to retain
its structural integrity and stability for the anticipated flood con-
ditions and to minimize flood damage. Any such structure, including one
and two-family dwellings, shall have plans submitted by a registered
professional engineer or architect showing only those provisions neces-
sary in the construction of the structure to meet the following perfor-
mance requirements:
a) structures shall be anchored to prevent movement or collapse.
b) approved flood resistant materials and equipment shall be used.
c) coastal high hazard area structures must be anchored to piles
and have space below lowest floor free of construction.
d) non-residential structures built with any occupiable space below
the level designated by the authority having jurisdiction as the
one hundred (100) year flood level, shall be designed to be
floodproof .
748.2 ELEVATION OF STRUCTURES IN FLOODPLAINS: The building official
shall maintain for public inspection and furnish upon request a record
of elevations in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (in-
cluding cellar as defined in the Basic Code) of all new or substantially
altered structures located in the special flood hazard areas. Where the
lowest floor is below grade on one or more sides, the elevation of the
floor immediately above shall also be provided.
7-42
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7-43
ANGLE
SIMPLE FLAT AND SHED ROOFS
ANGLE
SLOPE
DESIGN SNOW LOAD (lbs/ft^)
MAP SNOW LOAD (lbs/ft^)
25
30
35
0-20
20-30
30-40
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-90
FLAT TO 4/12
4/12 TO 7/12
7/12 TO 10/12
10/12 TO 14/12
14/12 TO 20/12
20/12 TO 33/12
33/12 TO VERTICAL
25
25
20
15
10
5
30
30
24
18
12
6
35
35
28
21
14
7
FIGURE 7-2a
DESIGN SNOW LOADS
7-44
CASE I
CASE II
FOR ANGLES > 20
USE CASES I & II
SIMPLE GABLE AND HIP ROOFS
ANGLE
SLOPE
CASE I
CASE II
MAP SNOW LOAD (lbs/ft*")
25
30
35
25
30
35 1
DESIGN SNOW LOAD (lbs/ft^) [
0-20
FLAT to 4/12
25
30
35
N/A
N/A
N/A
20 -30
4/12 to 7/12
25
30
35
25
30
35
30 - 40
7/12 to 10/12
20
24
28
25
30
35
40 - 50
10/12 to 14/12
15
18
21
20
23
26
50 - 60
14/12 to 20/12
10
12
14
12
15
18
60 - 70
20/12 to 33/12
5
6
7
8
11
14
70 - 90
33/12 to vertical
FIGURE 7 -2b
7-44A
i___
SIMPLE ARCH AND CURVED ROOFS
CASE I
I
t USE MAP SNOW LOAD
CASE II
1/2 p-
USE 2 X MAP SNOW LOAD
FOR Jl 4 _L
I 10
FOR h. > J_
i \0
USE CASE I ONLY
USE CASE I AND II
FIGURE 7-2c
7-44B
CASE I
\0' 'C^<.2o'
CASE I
CASE II
CASE I
CASE II
CASE III
^ ^ >k- -
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m
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MAP SNOW LOAD
0.5 X MAP
SNOW LOAD
CASE II
« — >[
H ^/2.
1.5 X MAP SNOW LOAD
0.5 X MAP
SNOW LOAD
>
CASE III
VALLEY AREAS OF TWO- SPAN
AND MULTIPLE SERIES SLOPED OR CURVED ROOFS
ANGLE
SLOPE
CASE I
MAP SNOW LOAD (Ibs/f t^ )
25
30
35
DESIGN SNOW LOAD (lbs/ft2)
to 10
FLAT to 2/12
25
30
35
10 to 20
2/12 to 4.5/12
25
30
35
20 to 30
4.5/12 to 7/12
25
30
35
30 to 40
7/12 to 10/12
25
30
35
40 to 50
10/12 to 14/12
20
24
28
50 to 60
14/12 to 20/12
10
12
14
60 to 70
20/12 to 33/12
5
6
7
70 to 90
33/12 to vertical
FIGURE 7 -3a
7-45
6S'
DESIGN
SNOW LOAD
^,Wc
2h
~H
DESIGN SNOW LOAD
iO h
H f
LOWER LEVEL OF MULTI-LEVEL ROOFS
(WHEN UPPER ROOF IS PART OF SAME BUILDING OR
ON AN ADJACENT BUILDING NOT MORE THAN 5 FEET AWAY)
MAP SNOW LOADS (lbs/ft^) 25
30
35
W
IN FEET
H
IN FEET
DESIGN SNOW LOAD (lbs/ft^)
- 1.5
25
30
35
10
1.5 - 2.0
30
30
35
10
2.0 - 2.5
38
38
38
10
2.5 - 3.0
45
45
45
10
3.0 - 3.5
53
53
53
10
3.5 - 4.0
60
60
60
10
4.0 - 4.5
70
70
70
10
4.5 - 5.0
75
75
75
10
5.0 - 6.0
75
90
90
W = 2h
6.0 - 15.0
75
90
105
W = 2h
15.0
75
90
105
30
FIGURE 7 -3b
7-45A
Design for:
UPPER ROOF LOAD AS REQUIRED FOR LOADS
APPLICABLE TO SINGLE -LEVEL ROOFS
PLUS
LOWER ROOF LOAD AS REQUIRED FOR LOADS
APPLICABLE TO MULTI -LEVEL ROOFS
PLUS
507o OF UPPER ROOF LOAD CONSIDERED AS
LOADED ONTO LOWER ROOF DUE TO SLIDING
LOAD FROM
SLIDING SNOW
DRIFT LOAD
MAP SNOW LOAD
ROOFS SUBJECT TO SNOW LOAD
FROM SLIDING
FIGURE 7-4
7-46
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7-47
Required Nominal Thickness of Glass
10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Modified Design Wind Load (Pounds per Square Foot)
This chart is based on minimum thicknesses allowed in Federal
Specification DD-G-451b
Design Factor - 2.5 figure 7-6
7-48
standard Penetration Resistance
blows/ft
10
20
30
20
40
60
80 -
100
o\
\
1 1
Not Susceptible
to Liquefaction
2C
40\
Susceptible
\
■ to Li
quefac
tion
\
Def
60
/
)th to
und wa
eet
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gro
inf
ter \\
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1
1
FIGURE 7-7
Penetration Resistance Requirements for
Medium and Fine Sands Subjected to Earthquakes for
Safety Against Liquefaction
7-48A
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U
1
t8
n
IH
fi^
0)
3
;?
cr
o
•H
1—1
H-1
<u
fQ
U-l
o
^
4-1
a
a
o
Q)
H
o
6C
50
40
30
20
10
Permissible
^
^
A
y
/
/
Not Pern
1
aissibl
Hi
/
10
20
3G
40
50
Thickness of Liquefaction-Susceptible Soils, ft
FIGURE 7-8
Permissible thicknesses and depths of
soils that are susceptible to lique-
faction.
7-48B
160
14C _
120
100
80
60
40
20
s A
^^^^
-— -
Clas
Soil
S=
Site
1 y
Class
Soil S
S=l.
/
13
ite
5
/
/
/
/
20 40 60 80 100 120 14C 160
Thickness of Class B Soil, ft
FIGURE 7-9
Determination of Soil Factor S
7-48C
Reference Standards - Article 7
AASHO
ASCE
ASTM
ASTM
Paper No.
3269
A252
D25
1965 Standard Specifications for
Highway Bridges
1961 Wind Forces on Structures — 1961
Transactions of the American
Society of Civil Engineers,
Vol. 126, Part II
1971 Specification for Welded and
Seamless Steel Pipe Piles
1970 Standard Specification for
Round Timber Piles
AWPA
CI
1972 Standard for the Preservation Treat-
ment of all Timber Products by
Pressure Processes
AWPA
AWPA
C3
M2
1972 Standard for the Preservative Treat-
ment of Piles by Pressure Processes
1967 Standard for Inspection of Treated
Timber Products
AWPA
M4
1962
Standard for the Care of Pressure-
Treated Wood Products
ANSI
A58.1
1972 Building Code Requirements for
Minimum Design Loads in Buildings
and Other Structures
7-49
ARTICLE 8-PART A
MATERIAL AND TESTS
SECTION 800.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall govern the quality, workmanship
and requirements for all materials and methods and the minimum speci-
fications for enclosure walls and wall thickness hereafter used in the
construction of buildings and structures. All materials and methods of
construction shall be subject to the approval of the State Building Code
Commission and shall follow those requirements of accepted engineering
practice and material and test standards as specified in the reference
standards of this article as approved by the State Building Code Commis-
sion.
800.1 ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE: The quality, use and installation
of all materials and devices, and the methods of building construction
shall be controlled by the standards of accepted engineering practice as
approved by the State Building Code Commission and listed in the refer-
ences of this article.
800.2 MATERIAL AND TESTS: All materials, devices, methods of con-
struction, and tests shall be subject to the approval and control of the
State Building Code Commission for use in the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts.
800.3 USED MATERIALS: The use of all second-hand materials which meet
the minimtom requirements of the Basic Code for new materials shall be
permitted.
800.4 CONTROL OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: The use of construction
materials in all structures covered by section 128.0, and all personnel
and laboratories involved in the control, inspection and testing of such
structures shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the State
Building Code Commission administered through their provisions and under
their direction by the Construction Materials Safety Board.
800.41 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SAFETY BOARD: The Board will review
applications for registration for licensing of individuals and labo-
ratories responsible for inspection, control and testing of construction
material, and report to the State Building Code Commission their recom-
mendations. The Board will collect information and review cases where
disciplinary action against an existing license, whether an individual,
laboratory or firm, has been proposed and make recommendations to the
State Building Code Commission. The Commission will issue applications,
receive pajmient of registration and licensing fees, and maintain records
for the efficient dispatch of the duties of the Board. The Board shall
submit to the Commission reports from time to time as requested by the
Commission, but at least annually.
8-1
800.42 TESTING AND EVALUATION GROUP: The State Building Code Commis-
sion shall establish and maintain a Testing and Evaluation Group, who
will have the responsibility of administering and directing, under the
supervision of the Commission, the testing and controls for evaluating
individual applicants and laboratories wishing to become registered
and licensed as required under section 128.9.
SECTION 801.0 DEFINITIONS
ARCHITECTURAL TERRA COTTA: plain or ornamental hard-burned plastic
clay units, larger in size than brick, with glazed or unglazed ce-
ramic finish.
ASHLAR FACING: facing of solid rectangular units larger in size than
brick of burned clay or shale, natural or cast stone, with sawed,
dressed and squared beds and mortar joints.
ASHLAR MASONRY: masonry composed of bonded, rectangular units, lar-
ger in size than brick, with sawed, dressed or squared beds and mor-
tar joints.
BRICK: a solid masonry unit of clay or shale, usually formed into a
rectangular prism while plastic and burned or fired in a kiln.
BUTTRESS: a projecting part of a masonry wall built Integrally there-
with to furnish lateral stability which is supported on proper
foundations.
CALCIUM- SILICATE BRICK (sand lime brick) : a building unit made of
sand and lime.
CERAMIC SURFACE UNIT: (see tile).
CLAY MASONRY UNIT: a building unit larger in size than a brick com-
posed of burned clay, shale, fireclay or mixtures thereof.
COLD-FORMED STEEL CONSTRUCTION: that type of construction made up
entirely, or in part, of steel structural members cold-formed to
shape from sheet or strip steel such as roof deck, floor and wall
panels, studs, floor joists, roof joists and other structural ele-
ments .
CONCRETE: a mixture of cement, aggregates and water, of such propor-
tions and manipulation as to meet specific requirements.
CONCRETE BRICK: a solid masonry unit having a shape approximating a
rectangular prism and composed of inert aggregate particles embedded
in a hardened cementitious matrix.
CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT: a building or unit or block larger in size than
twelve (12) by four (4) by four (4) Inches made of cement and suitable
aggregates .
8-2
FLOOR FILL: the fill between the structural floor arch or slab and
the finished flooring :
FLOOR FILLING: the type of short-span floor construction in fire-
proof and f ireresistive buildings installed between structural
steel framing to serve as a combination structural floor slab or
arch and fireproof protection of the framing.
FLOOR FINISH: the finish placed on top of the floor arch, slab or
other structural floor element.
HOLLOW BRICK: a masonry unit of clay or shale whose net cross-sec-
tional area in any plane parallel to the bearing surface is not
less than sixty (60) percent or more than seventy-five (75) percent
of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the same plane.
HOLLOW MASONRY UNIT: a masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area
in any plane parallel to the bearing surface is less than seventy-
five (75) percent of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the
same plane .
MASONRY: a built-up construction or combination of building units or
materials of clay, shale, concrete, glass, gypsum, stone or other
approved units bonded together with mortar; or monolithic concrete.
Reinforced concrete is not classed as masonry.
MORTAR: a plastic mixture of approved cementitious materials, fine
aggregates and water used to bond masonry or other structural units.
NOMINAL DIMENSIONS.
-LUMBER: a dimension that may vary from actual dimensions as pro-
vided in American Lumber Standard listed in the references stand-
ards of this article.
-MASONRY: a dimension that may vary from actual masonry dimensions
by the thickness of a mortar joint but not to exceed one-half (h)
inch .
PRESERVATIVE TREATED WOOD: wood treated by a recognized pressure im-
pregnation process to increase its durability.
REINFORCED CONCRETE: concrete in which reinforcement other than that
provided for shrinkage or temperature changes is combined in such
manner that the two materials act together in resisting forces.
RUBBLE
-COURSED RUBBLE: masonry composed of roughly shaped stones fitting
approximately on level beds and well bonded .
8-3
-RANDOM RUBBLE: masonry composed of roughly- shaped stones laid with-
out regularity of coursing but well bonded and fitted together to
form well defined joints.
-ROUGH OR ORDINARY RUBBLE: masonry composed of unsquared field stones
laid without regularity of coursing but well bonded.
-RUBBLE MASONRY: masonry composed of roughly shaped stones.
SOLID MASONRY: masonry consisting of solid masonry units laid contig-
uously with the joints between the units filled with mortar, or con-
sisting of plain concrete.
SOLID MASONRY UNIT: a masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area in
every plane parallel to the bearing surface is seventy-five (75) per-
cent or more of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the same
plane.
STEEL JOIST: any secondary steel member of a building or structure
made of hot or cold-formed solid or open-web sections, or riveted or
welded bar, strip or sheet steel members or slotted and expanded or
otherwise deformed rolled sections.
STRUCTURAL CLAY TILE: a hollow masonry unit composed of burned clay,
shale, fireclay or mixtures thereof and having parallel cells.
STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBER: any primary or secondary member of a building
or structure consisting of a rolled steel structural shape other than
formed steel, light gage steel or steel joist members.
TILE: a ceramic surface unit, usually relatively thin in relation to
facial area, made from clay or a mixture of clay and other ceramic
materials, called the body of the tile, having either "glazed" or
"unglazed" face and fired above red heat in the course of manufac-
ture to a temperature sufficiently high to produce specific physical .
properties and characteristics.
WALL: (see also sections 201.0 and 901.0.)
-CAVITY WALL: a wall built of masonry units or of plain concrete, or
a combination of these materials, arranged to provide an air space
within the wall, and in which the inner and outer parts of the wall
are tied together with metal ties.
-COMPOSITE WALL: a wall built of a combination of two (2) or more
masonry units of different materials bonded together, one forming
the back-up and the other facing elements.
-FACED WALL: a wall in which the masonry facing and backing are so
bonded as to exert common action under load.
8-4
-HOLLOW WALL: a wall built of masonry units so arranged as to pro-
vide an air space within the wall, and in which the facing and
backing of the wall are bonded together with masonry units.
-VENEERED WALL: a wall having a facing of masonry or other weather-
resisting noncombustible materials securely attached to the backing,
but not so bonded as to exert common action under load.
SECTION 802.0 BASIC CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
All materials and methods used in the design and construction of
buildings and structures shall be classified as controlled materials
and ordinary materials as defined in sections 721.1 and 722.2. The
design and construction shall be based on the assumptions, limitations
and methods of stress determination of recognized design procedures.
SECTION 803.0 TESTS
All structural units and assemblies shall be tested as approved by
the State Building Code Commission and in accordance with those ap-
proved standards listed in the references of this article.
803.1 STRENGTH TESTS: To determine the safe uniformly distributed
working load, when not capable of design by accepted engineering analy-
sis, or to check the adequacy of the structural design of an assembly
when there is reasonable doubt as to its strength or stability, every
system of construction, sub-assembly or assembled unit and its connec-
tions shall be subjected to strength tests prescribed in the Basic Code,
or to such other tests as approved by the State Building Code Commission,
that simulate the loads and conditions of application that the completed
structure will be subjected to in normal use.
803.11 STRENGTH TESTS FOR GLASS: The working strength of glass for
any location in which it is required to withstand specific loads shall
be determined as provided in the reference standards of this article.
803.2 DURABILITY AND ENDURANCE TESTS: Whenever specific conditions in
a particular case warrant, and such information is otherwise unavailable,
the building official may require a specific material to be subject to
sustained and repetitive loading to determine its resistance to fatigue,
and to tests for durability and weather resistance.
803.3 MAINTENANCE TEST: When reasonable doubt exists as to the quality
of approved materials, or excessive variation exists in the quality or
standards of materials, the building official may require verification
of quality standards before approving further use. The building official
may also submit such approved materials to the State Building Code Com-
mission for review of approval.
8-5
803.4 PROOF TESTING: Whenever there is sufficient evidence that the
stability or structural safety of a completed building or structure
or part thereof will not meet approved engineering or other standards
cited in this code, the building official may require a load test of
the building unit or portions of the structure in question under the
supervision of a qualified registered professional engineer or archi-
tect. Such existing structure or part thereof shall be subjected to
a superimposed load equal to two (2) times the design live load, or
to a load causing a stress equal to eighty (80) percent of the yield
point in the most highly stressed element. The test load shall be
left in place for a period of twenty-four (24) hours. If during the
test, or upon removal of the test load, the structure shows evidence
of failure, the building official shall order the reinforcement or
modifications deemed necessary to insure adequacy of the structure
for the rated capacity; or in lieu thereof, he may specify a reduced
working load to which the structure shall be limited. The structure
shall be considered to have successfully met the test requirements if
the total deflection does not exceed the theoretical deflection com-
puted by accepted engineering formulae. When the total deflection is
greater than such theoretical value, the structure shall be considered
safe for the design load, if it recovers seventy-five (75) percent of
the maximum deflection within twenty-four (24) hours after removal of
the test load.
803.5 TESTS OF SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES: Tests of service equip-
ment and devices are covered in the sections appropriate to their use.
803.6 FIRE TESTS: In the determination of flash points, combustibility,
flameresistance and f ireresistance of construction materials and methods,
all tests shall be conducted in conformity to section 903 and 904 and the
applicable standards listed in appendices G and H.
803.7 PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION TESTS. Prefabricated assemblies or
sub-assemblies not capable of design by accepted engineering analysis,
shall meet all the requirements and tests for at-site construction. The
floor panels and other prefabricated units shall be assembled to form an
integrated test specimen constructed as in practice, of not less than
three (3) units in width with two (2) longitudinal joints; and when de-
signed on the assumption of a simple span, such units shall be tested
with flat end supports.
803.8 TEST SPECIMENS: The selection and construction of all test speci-
mens and the details of test procedure herein required shall conform to
the recognized test procedures as approved by the State Building Code
Commission according to the reference standards of this article. All
test specimens and constructions shall be truly representative of the
materials, workmanship and details to be normally applied in practice.
When structural or f ireresistive properties of the material are depen-
dent upon adequate curing, the age of the specimen shall be not less
than seven (7) nor more than twenty-eight (28) days, unless otherwise
approved by the State Building Code Commission.
8-6
803.9 CONDUCT OF LOAD TESTS: Load tests, when required, shall be per-
formed under the supervision of a qualified registered professional en-
gineer or architect. A thorough analysis of the conditions of loading
shall be made to ensure that the results reflect an accurate evaluation
of the existing stresses.
SECTION 804.0 CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE
When the strength or deflection of a member or assembly cannot be ac-
curately determined by analysis, its evaluation may be based on the re-
sults of physical tests as established in these provisions. This section
shall apply only to members and assemblies which have not been incorpor-
ated into a structure. In-place construction shall be evaluated by the
provisions of section 803.4.
804.1 TEST LOAD FACTOR:
a) The test specimen shall sustain for a period of twenty-four (24)
hours, without visible damage other than hairline cracks, its own
weight, plus a superimposed test load equal to the dead load to
be added at the site plus one hundred fifty (150) percent of the
design live load .
b) After completion of the test required by section 804.1. a. and re-
moval of all superimposed loads, the recovery of deflection within
twenty-four (24) hours shall be at least seventy-five (75) percent
of the deflection due to the superimposed loads.
c) The test specimen shall sustain without collapse its own weight,
plus a superimposed test load equal to fifty (50) percent of its
weight plus one hundred fifty (150) percent of the dead load to
be added at the site, plus two hundred fifty (250) percent of the
design live load .
804.2 WORKING LOAD DEFLECTION: The deflection properties of the member
of assembly under working loads shall conform to the applicable require-
ments of this Code and the reference standards, as well as to any special
requirements of the job specifications. Such deflections may be predicted
on the basis of short-time tests, plus a suitable allowance, approved by
the building official, for the effects of shrinkage, creep, and relaxation.
804.3 WALL AND PARTITION ASSEMBLIES : Bearing wall and partition assem-
blies shall sustain the load test both with and without window framing.
804.4 CONCENTRATED LOAD TESTS: When not capable of design all floor con-
structions in the use classification groups specified in table 7-2 shall
be subjected to the concentrated loads therein prescribed when such load-
ing exceeds in stress effect the uniformly distributed load specified for
such uses in table 7-1;
8-7
804.5 PUNCTURE PENETRATION TESTS: All finish floor constructions in
which light gage metal or other thin materials are used as the struc-
tural floor shall withstand the application of a two hundred (200)
pound concentrated load applied to the top surface on an area of one
(1) square inch at any point or points of the construction designated
by the building official.
SECTION 805.0 APPROVALS
805.1 APPROVAL: All materials devices, methods of construction and
tests shall be subject to the approval and control of the State Build-
ing Code Commission for use in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
805.2 HERETOFORE APPROVED MATERIALS: The use of any material already
fabricated or of any construction already erected, which conformed to
requirements or approvals heretofore in effect, shall be permitted to
continue, if not detrimental to life, health or safety of the public.
SECTION 806.0 MASONRY CONSTRUCTION UNITS
806.1 IDENTIFICATION: The materials which are recognized as being ac-
ceptable as masonry for the purposes of this Code are as follows: Brick,
Structural Clay Tile, Glazed Masonry Units, Concrete Units, Gypsum Units,
Structural Glass Block Units, Architectural Terra Cotta, Natural Stone,
Cast Stone, Mortar for Masonry. A material designated to be used as
masonry not so included by this article, shall be subject to approval
and classification by the State Building Code Commission.
806.2 NOMINAL DIMENSIONS: Dimensions and thickness specified in the
Basic Code are nominal dimensions; actual dimensions may vary from the
prescribed minimum in accordance with accepted tolerances in the build-
ing industry.
806.3 SECOND-HAND UNITS: Brick and other second-hand masonry units may
be reused subject to the approval of the building official as to quality,
condition and compliance with the requirements for new masonry xinlts.
The unit shall be good, whole, sound material, free from cracks and
other defects that would interfere with its proper laying or use; and
shall be cleaned free from old mortar before reuse.
SECTION 807.0 BRICK UNITS
All clay, shale and sand-lime brick shall be selected of the appropriate
grade specified In the reference standards of this article. The minimum
grade permitted for brick la coata&t with the ground aad subject to wat»r,
frost and freezing action shall be grade SW; when subject to frost without
danger of water saturation, grade MW; and when not subject to weathering
or when used as back-up in exterior walls or for interior construction,
grade NW. Underburned clay brick shall not be used in Isolated brick
piers, nor in a bearing wall which is more than forty (40) feet in height.
Brick for fire protection, flreresistlve walls or fire stopping shall be
of grade MW or better.
8-8
SECTION 808.0 STRUCTURAL CLAY TILE UNITS
808.1 LOAD BEARING WALL TILE: Structural clay load bearing wall
tile shall be classified for physical quality as grade LBX or grade
LB and shall be in conformance with the reference standards of this
article.
808.2 FLOOR TILE: Structural clay floor tile shall be classified
for physical quality as grade FTl or grade FT2 and shall conform to
the reference standards of this article.
808.21 ARCHES: Structural clay floor tile used in floor and roof
arches shall be at least grade FT2 .
808.3 FIREPROOFING AND NON-LOAD BEARING PARTITION TILE: Structural
clay non-load bearing tile, used for partitions, f ireproof ing, and
furring shall be classified as grade NB and shall conform to the ref-
erence standards of this article.
808.31 FIRERESISTANCE : Structural clay tile in fire resistive con-
struction shall be of grade NB or better, and shall conform to the
requirements of Table 2-5.
808.4 EXPOSURE: Any structural clay tile exposed to the weather
shall be at least of grade LBX.
SECTION 809.0 GLAZED MASONRY UNITS
Structural clay load-bearing facing tile, facing brick, and other
solid masonry units made from clay, shale, fire-clay, or mixtures
thereof having a finish consisting of a ceramic glaze shall be in
conformance with the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 810.0 CONCRETE UNITS
Concrete units as classified in this Code shall include concrete
bricks, solid load bearing units, hollow load bearing units and hollow
non-load bearing units of concrete made from Portland cement, water
and suitable aggregates, such as sand gravel, crushed stone, bitumi-
nous or anthracite cinders, expanded clay or shale and blast furnace
slag. The materials shall conform to the specific reference standards
herein noted except that cinder aggregate for concrete blocks shall
contain not more than twenty (20) percent of combustible matter.
810.1 HOLLOW LOAD BEARING UNITS: Hollow load bearing concrete units
shall conform to the reference standards of this article and when used
unprotected below grade or unprotected against the weather by stucco,
brick or other approved facings or veneers shall be grade U; when used
protected below grade or protected exterior subject to frost action,
grade P or better; for interior and protected exterior use not subject
to frost action, grade G or better.
8-9
810.2 HOLLOW NON-LOAD BEARING UNITS: Hollow non-load bearing con-
crete units shall conform to the reference standards of this article
and may be used in non-load bearing interior partitions and non-load
bearing exterior walls where effectively protected from the weather.
810.3 SOLID LOAD BEARING UNITS: Solid load bearing units shall con-
form to the reference standards of this article and when used unpro-
tected below grade or unprotected against the weather by stucco,
brick or other approved facings or veneers shall be grade U; when
used protected below grade or protected exterior subject to frost
action, grade P or better; for interior and protected exterior use
not subject to frost action, grade G or better.
810.4 CONCRETE BRICK: Concrete brick shall conform to the reference
standards of this article and when exposed to severe frost action
shall be grade U; when exposed to moderate frost action shall be grade
P or better; and when used in backup or interior masonry, or where
effectively protected against moisture penetration, grade G or better.
810.5 CONCRETE FIREPROOFING AND FURRING UNITS: Concrete units may
be used for fireproofing or furring when graded for weathering accord-
ing to this section except that the exterior use of hollow non-load
bearing units shall not be permitted for fireproofing purposes. All
non-load bearing units shall be clearly marked to distinguish them
from load bearing units.
810.6 CONCRETE FLOOR TILE
810.61 STRUCTURAL FILLERS: Structural concrete filler-block or tile
when included in strength calculations in ribbed floor construction
shall have webs and shells not less than one (1) inch thick and shall
develop an average compressive strength on the net area not less than
that of the rib concrete.
810.62 OTHER FILLERS: Removable tile and permanent fillers which are
not included in strength calculations shall be of adequate strength to
insure integrity of the unit and safety in handling as approved by the
building official.
SECTION 811.0 GYPSUM UNITS
A gypsum building unit in the form of tile or block for use in non-
load bearing construction in the interior of buildings and for the pro-
tection of columns, elevator shafts, etc., against fire shall conform
to the reference standards of this article.
811.1 USE: Gypsum tile or block shall not be used in load bearing
masonry, in masonry exposed to weather or soil, nor in masonry expos-
ed to frequent or continuous wetting. Gypsum partition tile or block
shall not be used for partitions to receive Portland cement plaster,
ceramic tile, marble or structural glass wainscots unless self -fur-
ring metal lath is placed over the gjrpsum tile.
8-10
SECTION 812.0 STRUCTUEAL GLASS BLOCK UNITS
Solid or hollow approved structural glass blocks shall not be used
in fire walls, party walls or fire-division walls, or for load-bear-
ing construction. All mortar-bearing surfaces of the block shall be
precoated or prepared to insure adhesion between mortar and glass.
SECTION 813.0 ARCHITECTURAL TERRA COTTA
All approved architectural terra cotta units shall be formed with a
strong, homogeneous body of hard-burned, weather-resisting clay which
gives off a sharp, metallic ring when struck and shall meet the
strength and durability requirements of accepted engineering practice.
All units shall be formed to engage securely with and anchor to the
structural frame or masonry wall, and shall conform to the reference
standards of this article.
SECTION 814.0 NATURAL STONE
Natural stone for masonry shall be sound and free from loose or
friable inclusions; and shall meet the strength, f ireresistance,
durability and impact resistance for the intended use in accordance
with accepted engineering practice.
SECTION 815.0 CAST STONE
All approved cast stone shall be fabricated of concrete or other
approved materials of required strength, durability and f ireresis-
tance for the intended use and shall conform to the reference stan-
dards of this article.
SECTION 816.0 MORTAR FOR MASONRY
816.1 MATERIALS: All Portland, natural and masonry cements, quick-
lime and hydrated lime for use in masonry mortar and concrete shall
meet the minimum strength and durability requirements of the standards
listed in the references of this article.
816.2 MORTAR TYPES AND PROPORTIONS: Mortar for masonry construction
shall conform to one (1) of the following tjrpes and shall be mixed to
a consistent workability in the specified proportions measured by vol-
ume with clean fresh water free from harmful amounts of acids, alkalis,
oils or organic materials ; and with approved aggregates composed of
hard, strong, durable mineral particles well-graded from fine to coarse,
free from injurious amounts of acid, alkalis, oils, saline, organic and
8-11
other deleterious substances in accordance with accepted engineering
practice. Masonry mortars shall have a flow after suction of not
less than seventy (70) percent and shall conform to the reference
standards of this article.
MORTAR PROPORTIONS (Parts By Volume)
Hydrated
. Lime
Damp
Mortar
Portland
Masonry
or L;
Lme
Putty
Loose
Type
Cement
Cement
Min.
Max.
Aggregate
M
1
_
_
h
1
1
-
-
S
1
_
h
h
h
1
~
~
not
less than 25s anc
not more than 3 times the
1^^ sum of the volumes of the
- cements and limes used.
\h
2h
816.3 TYPES OF MORTAR PERMITTED:
of the following types :
Unit masonry shall be laid in mortar
TYPE OF MASONRY
TYPES OF MORTAR PERMITTED
Masonry in contact with earth
Grouted and filled cell masonry
Masonry above grade or interior masonry:
Piers of solid units
Piers of hollow units
Walls of solid units
Walls of hollow units
Cavity walls and masonry bonded hollow
walls
Design wind pressure exceeds 20 psf
Design wind pressure 20 psf or less
Glass block masonry
Nonloadb earing partitions and fireproofing
Gypsvim partition tile or block
Fire brick
Linings of existing masonry, above or
below grade
Masonry other than above
M or S
M or S
M, S or
N
'
M or S
M, S, N
or
M, S or
N
M or S
M, S or
N
S or N
M, S, N
,
or Gyp Slim
Gypsum
Refractory
air-setting mortar
M or S
M, S or
N
8-12
816.4 SPECIAL MORTARS: other special masonry mortars in place of
the mortar types listed in section 816.2 may be approved provided
they develop the minimum compressive strengths specified for the
respective mortars they replace. The strength classification of a
special mortar or special mix inay be determined by compressive
strength tests with the materiijs and in the proportions representa-
tive of those to be used in actual practice. In no case shall the
allowable unit working stresses in the masonry be more than one-fourth
(h,) the average ultimate compressive strength of the assembled test
samples.
816.5 GYPSUM MORTAR: Gypsum mortar shall be composed of one (1)
part of unfibered calcined neat gypsum to not more than three (3)
parts sand by weight. Only gypsum mortar shall be used with gypsum
tile and block units. Gypsum shall conform to the reference stan-
dards of this article.
816.6 MORTARS FOR CERAMIC WALL AKD FLOOR TILE: Mortars for install-
ing ceramic wall and floor tile shall be of the following composition
measured by volume :
Walls: Scratch coat 1 cement: 1/3 hydrated lime: 4 sand
Setting bed and 1 cement: 1/2 hydrated lime": '4 sand
Leveling coat
Floors: Setting bed 1 cement: 5 sand
Ceilings: Scratch coat 1 cement: 1/2 hydrated lime: 3 sand
and setting bed
or other mortars of comparable adhesive strength and durability, in
accordance with the reference standards of this article.
816.61 DRY-SET PORTLAND CEMENT MORTARS: Dry-set Portland cement
mortars to be used in the installation of ceramic tile shall be in
accordance with standard specification for dry-set Portland cement
mortar listed in the reference standards of this article.
816.7 ORGANIC ADHESIVES: Organic adhesives to be used in installing
ceramic tile shall have a shear bond strength in accordance with com-
mercial standard for adhesives for installations of clay tile listed
in the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 817.0 CONCRETE AGGREGATES
817.1 AGGREGATE QUALITY: Concrete aggregates shall conform to the
reference standards of this article for organic impurities, soundness,
mortar strength, durability, weather resistance, fire resistance, and
wearing qualities.
8-13
817.2 FIRERESISTANCE: Coarse aggregate in concrete shall be rated
in respect to the fireresistance of concrete made therewith on the
basis of performance in fire test on building elements such as columns,
floors, partitions and wall conducted in accordance with standard fire
test specifications applicable to such test. Protective coverings of
encasements of concrete for steel in f ireresistive construction shall
likewise be selected on the basis of performance in applicable stan-
dard fire tests. All concrete constructions shall meet the require-
ments of article 9 as regulated by the provisions of table 2-5.
817.21 GRADE 1 CONCRETE: Grade 1 concrete shall mean concrete made
with aggregates such as blast-furnace slag, burned clays, and calcar-
eous, igneous, and most silicate crushed stones and gravels and shales,
as well as any other aggregates performing as required by the Basic
Code for the appropriate construction when tested in accordance with
standard methods of fire tests of building construction and materials
listed in the reference standards of article 9.
817.22 GRADE 2 CONCRETE: Grade 2 concrete shall mean concrete made
with aggregates such as cinders and crushed stones and gravels com-
posed essentially of quartz and quartzite cherts as well as any other
aggregates performing as required by the Basic Code for the appropriate
construction when tested in accordance with standard methods of fire
tests of building construction and materials listed in the reference
standards of article 9.
817.3 SIZE OF AGGREGATES: Fine aggregates shall conform to the ref-
erence standards of this article and shall be well-graded from fine
to coarse. Coarse aggregates shall not exceed one-fifth (1/5) of the
narrowest dimensions between sides of the form nor three-quarters (3/4)
of the minimum clear spacing between reinforcing bars and shall conform
to the reference standards of this article.
817.4 SPECIAL AGGREGATES: Special aggregates, including among others,
perlite, vermiculite and other processed mica, pumice, lava, tufa, vol-
canic glass, slag, coke, expanded clay and shale used in concrete and
plaster construction shall meet all requirements of the approved rules
and shall be classified in their respective f ireresistant grades as
determined by test. When used for fire protection purposes only, the
building official may waive mortar strength requirements for such ag-
gregates providing the concrete is shown by test to have adequate
strength for the intended use.
SECTION 818.0 READY-MIX CONCRETE
818.1 CONTROL: Ready-mix concrete for use in ordinary or in controlled
materials procedure shall conform to section 842 for reinforced concrete
and to the applicable standards listed in the reference standards of this
article.
8-14
818.2 TRANSPORTATION: Ready-mixed concrete shall be transported in
approved conveyances which insure delivery of the concrete at the site
in a plastic, workable and unhardened state. The maximum amount of
concrete hauled in an agitator shall not exceed the approved rating
of the conveyance; and the period of delivery shall not exceed the
time in which loss of plasticity may occur and generally not more than
one and one-half (l^s) hours after the mixing of cement and water.
818.3 ORDINARY MATERIALS PROCEDURE: When ready-mix is used under the
ordinary materials procedure, either the cement content in bags per
yard of concrete together with the maximum permissible slump shall be
specified. The cement factor and water cement ratio shall conform to
the provisions of the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 819.0 STRUCTURAL WOOD GLUES
819.1 QUALITY OF GLUE: Glues used in structural assemblies of built-
up or laminated lumber sections shall develop the full strength of the
wood, shall not produce decomposition or deleterious chemical reaction
in the wood structure, shall not be attractive to vermin and shall
conform to the reference standards of this article.
819.2 MANUFACTURERS' REQUIREMENTS: Approved structural glues shall
be handled, mixed and applied as prescribed by the manufacturer and
the gluing shall be done only in accordance with the timber construc-
tion standards listed in the reference standards of this article.
819.3 TYPES OF GLUE: Structural glues shall be classified as dry
use and wet use in conformance with the reference standards of this
article.
SECTION 820.0 INTERIOR LATHING AND PLASTERING
All interior lathing and plastering shall conform to the standards
of accepted engineering practice for lathing, furring and accessories
and gypsum and Portland cement plastering listed in the reference
standards of this article except as may otherwise be provided in this
article for specific materials.
820.1 INSTALLATION
820.11 INSPECTION: The building official shall be notified not less
than twenty-four (24) hours in advance of all plastering work, and no
plaster shall be applied until after the lathing or other plaster base
has been inspected and approved by him.
820.12 WEATHER PROTECTION: When plastering work is in progress, the
building or structure shall be temporarily enclosed and in freezing
weather the enclosure shall be heated to protect the plaster from in-
jury.
8-15
SECTION 821.0 EXTERIOR LATHING AND STUCCO
All exterior lathing, plastering and stucco work shall be installed
of Portland cement or other approved mortar, as provided in the ref-
erence standards of this article or as provided in this Code for
specific materials.
821.1 REINFORCEMENT: All stucco work shall be reinforced with ap-
proved metal lath or wire fabric except when applied directly to a
masonry or concrete base, or when installed on a masonry base which
is protected with bituminous surfacing.
821.2 MINIMUM WEIGHT: Metal lath, expanded metal and wire reinforc-
ing fabric shall weigh not less than the following:
Minimum
Type of Reinforcement U.S. Gage
Metal lath
Expanded metal -
Woven wire 18
Woven wire 17
Woven wire 16
Welded wire 18
Welded wire 17
Welded wire 16
Maximum
Mesh Inches
Minimum Weight
Pounds per Square Yard
-
3.4
-
1.8
1
1.74
I's
1.41
2
1.47
4 sq.
in.
0.67
4 sq.
in.
0.82
4 sq.
in.
1.10
821.3 CORROSION RESISTANCE: All metal lath and stucco reinforcing
fabric shall be protected with a zinc, or other approved rust-resistive
coating or rust-inhibitive paint, or shall be manufactured from approv-
ed corrosion-resistive alloys.
821.4 SHEATHING: Except in back-plastered construction, the studs
shall be covered with approved sheathing complying with section 855;
or not less than No. 18 U.S. gage galvanized wire shall be stretched
horizontally at six (6) inch centers and shall be covered with not
less than fourteen (14) pound waterproof felt or paper before apply-
ing the reinforced stucco; or an approved paper-backed wire fabric
may be used of not less than No. 14 U.S. gage galvanized wire with
stiffening ribs not more than five (5) inches on centers to which is
attached a double layer of fibrous waterproof backing. The mesh open-
ing shall not exceed two by two (2x2) inches.
821.5 BACK PLASTERED CONSTRUCTION; In back-plastered construction,
when spacing of studs exceeds sixteen (16) inches, approved horizon-
tol noncombustlble cross-furring at not more than sixteen (16) inch
centers shall be first applied; unless approved stiffened lath is
used and the frame is adequately stiffened as provided in section 855.
8-16
821.6 APPLICATION ON MASONRY BASE: When applied directly to masonry
or monolithic concrete, the surfaces shall be roughened, hacked or
bush-hammered to provide bond, or a preparatory dash coat of Portland
cement grout shall be applied. The dash coat shall be kept damp for
at least two (2) days after application and before applying succeeding
stucco coats.
821.7 PROTECTION.
821.71 FROM FREEZING: At all times during application and for a
period of not less than forty-eight (48) hours after application of
each coat, provision shall be made to keep stucco work above fifty
(50) degrees F.
821.72 FROM MOISTURE: Stucco shall be kept a sufficient height above
ground surfaces as provided in section 855 and all sills, coping and
projecting courses shall be flashed and provided with drips as therein
specified.
821.73 FROM RAPID DRYING: Stucco shall be protected from heat, sun,
and wind for the first forty-eight (48) hours to prevent premature drying.
SECTION 822.0 PLASTERING MATERIALS
All sand, quick-lime, hydrated lime, hair binder, gypsum, keene and
Portland cements, pozzuolanic cements and aggregates and other materials
used in plastering shall be stored, protected and applied in accordance
with the reference standards of this article.
822.1 SPECIAL CEMENTS AND PLASTERS: Approved cements used in plaster-
ing may have admixtures of approved plasticity agents added in the manu-
facturing process or when mixing plaster at the site in the approved
proportions. All premixed special plasters, cements and aggregates
shall be packaged and identified with the approved label.
822.2 LIME PLASTER: Lime and hydrated lime plasters for use in base
and finish coats shall be applied in accordance with the reference stan-
dards of this article and the manufacturers' specifications.
822.3 GYPSUM PLASTER: All gypsum plaster shall comply with the ref-
erence standards of this article.
822.4 GYPSUM PLASTERS WITH SPECIAL AGGREGATES: When gypsum is used
with manufactured aggregates in place of natural sand for plaster, the
mixture shall be proportioned and applied in accordance with the manu-
facturer's recommendations and the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 823.0 PLASTER BASES
823.1 FIBER BOARDS: Approved fiber boards used as plaster bases shall
comply with section 824. The surface of such boards shall be of a rough,
8-17
fibrous texture to insure mechanical and suction bond; and the boards
shall meet the bond and strength tests specified in the reference
standards of this article.
823.2 GYPSUM LATH: Except when greater thickness is required for
fireresistance under the provisions of article 9, or as herein speci-
fied, gypsum lath used for plastering shall be not less than three-
eighths (3/8) inches thick and shall comply with the reference standards
of this article.
823.3 PERFORATED GYPSUM LATH: Where required to provide specified
time-temperature performance, perforated gypsum lath shall be not less
than three-eighths (3/8) inches thick. The openings shall be equiva-
lent to three-quarter (3/4) inch diameter holes for each sixteen (16)
square inches of lath surface; or the lath shall be perforated as deter-
mined by full size tests for load, strength and fireresistance ratings.
823.4 METAL LATH: The dimensions and sizes of expanded, ribbed and
sheet metal lath shall comply with the reference standards of this article;
and shall be fabricated from not less than No. 30 U.S. gage steel sheets.
It shall be manufactured from copperbearing steel, coated with rust-
inhibitive paint after cutting, or cut from zinc-coated steel sheets.
823.5 WIRE LATH: All types of wire lath shall comply with the refer-
ence standards of this article; and shall be fabricated from woven or
welded wire of not less than No. 19 W & M gage with not more than two
and one-half (Ih) meshes to the inch. Woven or welded wire reinforce-
ment shall be coated with zinc or rust-inhibitive paint.
823.6 PAPER-BACKED LATH: Expanded metal or wire lath backed with in-
tegral approved paper shall be fabricated from the minimum gages and
weights specified in sections 823.4 and 823.5.
823.7 COMBUSTIBLE LATH: Wood lath shall be erected horizontally on
walls and partitions and ceiling lath shall run in one direction only;
but in neither case shall it extend through cross-partitions from room
to room. Wood lath shall be not less than one (1) inch wide nor less
than five-sixteenths (5/16) inches thick and shall comply with all the
requirements of accepted engineering practice. The lath joints shall
be staggered so that not more than seven (7) laths occur in any one
continuous break.
SECTION 824.0 FIBER BOARDS
Insulating boards manufactured with wood or other vegetable fibers
used as building boards for sheathing, roof decks, plaster bases, in-
terior wall and ceiling finish, roof insulation or sound deadening,
shall be vermin proof, resistant to rot-producing fungi and water-
repellent and shall meet the strength and durability tests specified
in the reference standards listed in this article.
8-18
824.1 JOINTING: To insure tight-fitting assemblies, edges shall be
manufactured square or shiplapped, beveled, tongue-and-grooved or U-
jointed; and shall be installed in accordance with the reference
standards of this article.
824.2 PLASTER BASE: When used as a plaster base, fiber boards shall
be permitted in f ireresistive construction complying with the test
provisions of article 9, except where specifically prohibited in fire-
proof (type 1) and noncombustible (type 2) construction.
824.3 ROOF INSULATION: When used as roof insulation in all t3rpes of
construction, fiber boards shall be protected with an approved type of
roof covering.
824.4 WALL INSULATION: When installed and firestopped to comply with
article 9, fiber boards may be used for wall insulation in all types
of construction. In firewall and fire division construction, unless
treated to be noncombustible, the boards shall be cemented directly
to the masonry or other combustible veneer anchored to the base with-
out intervening air spaces.
824.5 DRY WALL CONSTRUCTION: Where f ireresistance ratings are required,
provisions shall be made for interlocking, lapping or otherwise protec-
ting the joints between adjacent boards to insure smoke and flame tight-
ness.
824.6 INSULATING ROOF DECK: When used as roof decking in open beam
construction fiber board insulating roof deck shall have a minimum nom-
inal thickness not less than one (1) inch.
SECTION 825.0 PLYWOOD
825.1 QUALITY: All plywood when used structurally shall meet the per-
formance standards and all other requirements of the reference standards
of this article for the type, grade and identification index or species
group of plywood involved, and shall be so identified by an approved
agency. Working stresses shall conform to the standards of accepted
engineering practice in conformance with the reference standards of this
article.
825.2 TYPES: Plywood for interior use may be either of the moisture
resistant or exterior type; plywood for exterior use shall be of the
exterior waterproof type. Exterior plywood may be applied directly to
the framing as a siding, provided it has a nominal thickness of three-
eighths (3/8) inch. Joints shall occur over framing members, unless
wood or plywood sheathing is used or joints are lapped horizontally a
minimum of one and one-half (1%) inches or otherwise made waterproof
to the satisfaction of the building official. If plywood is used as
lapped siding without sheathing, the wall framing to which it is at-
tached shall be diagonally braced.
8-19
825.3 SPANS: The maximum spans for plywood roof sheathing and sub-
flooring shall be limited by the allowable stresses and deflections
for the design live load but shall have not less than the identifi-
cation index listed in the reference standards of this article, pro-
vided it is continuous over two (2) or more spans and laid with face
grain perpendicular to the supports.
825.31 VERTICAL MAXIMUM STUD SPACING: Stud spacing for vertical
sheathing and for use in stress-skin panel or other prefabricated
constructions shall be determined by accepted engineering analysis
or by the tests prescribed for prefabricated assemblies in section 803.
825.32 The allowable span for plywood combination subfloor underlay-
ment shall conform to the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 826.0 WALLBOARDS AND SHEATHING
826.1 SHEATHING: Sheathing of particleboard, gypsum, processed fiber
and other approved materials shall conform to the reference standards
of this article. When used in frame construction, they shall meet
requirements of section 855.1 and 855.2. When required to meet fire-
resistance ratings, the assembled construction shall comply with table
2-5 for structural elements and article 9 for trim and finishes.
826.2 WALLBOARDS: Wall board of particleboard, gypsum, processed fiber
and other approved materials shall conform to the reference standards of
this article. When required to meet f ireresistance ratings, the assembled
construction shall comply with table 2-5 for structured elements and
article 9 for trim and finishes .
8-20
ARTICLE 8 - PART B
STEEL, MASONRY, CONCRETE,
GYPSUM AND LUMBER CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 827.0 STRUCTURAL STEEL CONSTRUCTION
Structural steel construction used in all buildings and structures
shall be fabricated from materials of uniform quality, free from de-
fects that would vitiate the strength or stability of the structure.
Workmanship, design, fabrication, transportation and erection shall
conform to accepted engineering practice as defined by the reference
standards of this article.
827.1 PLANS: Design plans drawn to appropriate scale show the size,
section and relative locations of all structural members with floor
levels, column centers and all offsets fully dimensioned; and the
design loads shall be clearly indicated for all parts of the building
or structure.
827.2 IDENTIFICATION: Structural steel that is required to have a
minimum yield point greater than thirty-six thousand (36,000) pounds
per square inch shall at all times in the fabricator's plant, be
marked, segregated, or otherwise handled so that the separate alloys
and tempers are positively identified, and after completion of fabri-
cation, shall be marked to identify the alloy and temper. Such mark-
ings shall be affixed to completed members and assemblies or to boxed
or bundled shipments of multiple units prior to shipment from the
fabricator's plant.
827.3 SHOP DRAWINGS: Shop drawings, giving complete information nec-
essary for the fabrication of the component parts of the structure,
including the types of material, the location, type and size of all
rivets, bolts and welds, shall be prepared in advance of the actual
fabrication. They shall clearly distinguish between shop and field
rivets, bolts and welds. Shop drawings shall be made in conformity
with the best modern practice and with due regard to safety, speed
and economy in fabrication and erection.
827.4 WELDING: All welded construction shall be designed by quali-
fied registered professional engineers and shall be supervised by
qualified registered professional engineers and qualified technicians
licensed and registered by the State Building Code Commission. Welds
shall be made by welders, tackers, and welding operators who are li-
censed and registered by the State Building Code Commission to per-
form the type of work required, as prescribed in the reference stan-
dards of this article.
827.5 PAINTING: All painting shall comply with the specifications for
design, fabrication and erection of structural steel for buildings listed
in the reference standards of this article.
8-21
SECTION 828.0 FORMED STEEL CONSTRUCTION
828.1 DESIGN: The design of all light gage and formed steel members
and assembled wall, floor and roof panels, used alone or in combina-
tion with other structural members, or with component materials, shall
be based on allowable unit stresses and maximum deflections in conform-
ance with the reference standards of this article.
828.2 SECONDARY STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: Formed steel floor, wall and roof
systems may be designed and constructed to resist all vertical and hori-
zontal moments and shears resulting from lateral forces. Such members,
when designed to transmit horizontal shears due to wind or other lateral
forces, shall be connected to the supporting structure so as to adequate-
ly resist all primary and secondary stresses. When concrete topping or
other approved decking is installed in a manner to insure composite ac-
tion of the assembly, the strength of the composite member may be in-
cluded in the calculations.
828.3 PROTECTION.
828.31 SHOP COAT: All individual structural members and assembled panels
of light gage and formed steel construction, except where fabricated of
approved corrosion-resistive metallic steel or of steel having a corro-
sion-resistive or other approved coating, shall be protected against
corrosion with an acceptable shop coat of paint, enamel, or other ap-
proved protection.
828.32 FIELD COAT: After erection where directly exposed to the
weather, except when encased in concrete made of non-corrosive aggre-
gates, or where fabricated of approved corrosion-resistive steel, or
of galvanized or otherwise adequately protected steel, individual struc-
tural members and assembled panels of light gage and formed steel con-
struction shall be given an additional coat of acceptable protection.
828.33 SIDING: Exposed siding or sheathing shall be fabricated of
approved corrosion-resistive steel or otherwise protected at the ground
level for sufficient height above grade as determined by the depth of
average snowfall in the locality, but in no case for a height of less
than eight (8) inches.
828.34 PROTECTION AT EXTERIOR WALLS: Floor or roof construction which
extends into an exterior wall shall be adequately waterproofed and pro-
tected from the weather to prevent corrosion.
828.4 TESTS: When not capable of design by accepted engineering analy-
sis, the building official shall require tests of the individual or as-
sembled structural units and their connections as prescribed in sections
803 and 804. At least three (3) specimens truly representative of the
construction to be used in practice shall be subjected to the prescribed
test and the mean of the results shall determine the safe working value;
provided that any individual test varying more than ten (10) percent from
the mean value shall cause rejection of the series.
8-22
SECTION 829.0 OPEN WEB STEEL JOISTS
Steel joists may be used as secondary members in floor and roof con-
struction, other than around stairwells, shafts and other floor open-
ings. The materials, design and construction methods shall conform
with the reference standards of this article.
829.1 DESIGN.
829.11 LOADS AND STRESSES: Connections of all members shall be de-
signed with the minimum possible eccentricity and all secondary stresses
shall be included with primary stresses in the design. In buildings
subject to heavy concentrations or moving loads, the construction
shall be designed to resist the vertical and lateral components of
such loads in addition to the live and dead loads specified in ar-
ticle 7.
829.12 PARTITIONS: The joists shall be designed to support the dead
load of partitions wherever they occur in addition to all other imposed
dead and live loads.
829.2 PROTECTION: Painting of steel joists shall be in accordance
with the requirements of section 828 for formed steel construction;
or the joist shall be dipped in an approved hot asphalt, or shall be
protected by painting, dipping or spraying with approved cold asphalt
at the place of manufacture.
829.3 HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITATIONS: When the main structural frame
is designed to resist all horizontal and vertical moments and shears
due to lateral forces, and the secondary system consists of steel
joists which are attached to the supporting beams and girders of the
frame as specified in the standards, steel joist construction of the
required fireresistance may be used in all buildings within th^ height
limits of table 2-6 .
829.4 TESTS: When not subject to accepted engineering analysis as
regulated by the standard for steel joist construction, the assembly
shall meet the load test requirements specified in sections 803 and 804.
SECTION 830.0 REINFORCING STEEL
Metal reinforcement for reinforced concrete, reinforced gjrpsum, con-
crete, reinforced brickwork and reinforced hollow block construction
shall comply with the reference standards of this article.
830.1 IDENTIFICATION: All reinforcing bars shall be rolled with raised
symbols or letters impressed on the metal identifying the manufacturing
mill. When required by the building official, the grade of material
shall be identified by satisfactory mill tests. All bundles or rolls
of cold-drawn steel wire reinforcement and of one-quarter (h) inch
rounds shall be securely tagged to identify the manufacturer and the
grade of steel.
8-23
830.2 HIGH YIELD STEELS: When the yield point of reinforcing bar
steel is fifty thousand (50,000) pounds per square inch or more,
the building official shall approve tension stresses in bending and
compression stresses in vertical column reinforcement not more than
forty (40) percent of the minimum yield point, and in conformity with
the reference standards of this article. Such stresses shall be not
more than thirty-thousand (30,000) pounds per square inch except when
pre-stressed reinforcement is used.
830.3 COLUMN REINFORCEMENT
830.31 STRUCTURAL STEEL SECTIONS: The allowable unit stress on
structural steel column sections shall conform with the provisions
of the reference standards of this article.
830.32 CAST IRON SECTIONS: All cast iron used as reinforcement in
combination with concrete shall be of pit-cast water pipe grade com-
plying with the reference standards of this article; and the allow-
able unit stress shall be not more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds
per square inch.
830.4 TESTS: When unidentified reinforcement is approved for use
under ordinary material procedure, not less than three (3) tension
and three (3) bending tests shall be made on representative speci-
mens of the reinforcement from each shipment and grade of reinforcing
steel proposed for use in the work.
SECTION 831.0 CAST STEEL CONSTRUCTION
831.1 MATERIALS: Carbon steel casting for building construction
shall be cast from open hearth or basic oxygen steel conforming to
the requirements of the reference standards of this article. All
castings shall be free from injurious blow holes or other defects
which would impair the structural strength.
831.2 HIGHER STRENGTH CAST STEEL: Higher strength cast steel may
be used when approved under controlled material procedures .
831.3 WELDING CAST STEEL: Cast steel designed for use in welding
shall be of weldable grade complying with the approved rules.
SECTION 832.0 CAST IRON CONSTRUCTION
832.1 MATERIALS: Cast iron for building construction shall be a
good foundry mixture providing clean, tough, gray iron, free from
serious blow holes, cinder spots and cold shuts; conforming to the
reference standards of this article.
8-24
832.2 LIMITATIONS OF USE: Cast iron columns shall not be used where
subject to eccentric loads which produce a net tension in the section,
nor in any part of a structural frame which is required to resist
stress due to wind. Cast iron columns shall not be used in the pri-
mary structural frames of buildings whose height exceeds one hundred
(100) feet or twice the width at the ground level. Cast iron shall
not be used for columns required to have four (4) hour f ireresistive
protection. Cast iron columns supporting a floor shall not be longer
than seventy (70) times the least radius of gyration or twenty-four
(24) times the outside diameter or least side. Cast iron columns
supporting roof loads only shall not be longer than ninety-six (96)
times the least radius of gyration or thirty (30) times the outside
diameter or least side; cast iron columns shall not be smaller than
six (6) inches in outside diameter or side.
832.3 MULTI-STORY COLUMNS: Cores of superimposed columns shall be
of the same dimensions above and below a splice. When a column of
smaller diameter is superimposed over one of larger diameter, the
larger column shall be tapered down to the smaller diameter over a
length of not less than six (6) inches.
832.4 THICKNESS OF METAL: The minimum thickness of cast iron shall
be not less than herein specified :
832.41 COLUMNS: In columns, the metal shall be not less than one-
twelfth (1/12) the smallest dimension of the cross-section and in no
case less than three-quarter (3/4) inch.
832.42 BASES AND BRACKETS: In bases and flanges, the metal shall be
not less than one (1) inch thick reinforced with fillets and brackets;
832.43 LINTELS: In lintels, the metal shall be not less than three-
quarter (3/4) inches thick and shall be limited to use on spans of
not more than six (6) feet.
832.5 INSPECTION: No cast iron column shall be erected in place be-
fore it has been inspected and approved by the building official.
The use of any cast iron column in which blow holes or imperfections
reduce the effective area of the cross-section more than ten (10) per-
cent shall be prohibited. Where required by the building official,
three-eighth (3/8) inch round inspection holes shall be drilled in the
section to expose the thickness of metal for inspection purposes.
SECTION 833.0 SPECIAL STEELS
833.1 IDENTIFICATION: Silicon, nickel and other corrosion-resistive
alloy and high strength steels with minimum yield points in excess of
thirty-six thousand (36,000) used in the design and construction of
buildings and structures shall conform to the standards of accepted
engineering practice. Every such special steel shall be marked or
otherwise identified to clearly distinguish it from all other classes
of steel.
8-25
833.2 DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP: Design and fabrication methods shall
conform to the requirements of the approved rules.
SECTION 834.0 LIGHT WEIGHT METAL ALLOYS
Aluminum and other approved light weight metals and alloys shall be
used for structural purposes in buildings and structures in accordance
with the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 835.0 MASONRY WALL CONSTRUCTION
835.1 DESIGN: All masonry construction shall comply with the provi-
sions of this article governing quality of materials and manner of
construction; and shall be of adequate strength and proportions to
support all superimposed loads within working stresses prescribed in
the Basic Code and the reference standards of this article.
835.2 Wetting of Brick: Brick (clay or shale) shall be wetted when
laid unless their gain in weight resulting from partial immersion
flatwise in one-eighth (1/8) inch of water for one (1) minute is less
than twenty-five thousandths (0.025) ounce per square inch of immersed
area.
835.3 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FREEZING: All masonry shall be protected
against freezing for not less than forty-eight (48) hours after in-
stallation; and shall not be constructed below twenty-eight (28) de-
grees F. on rising temperatures or below thirty-six (36) degrees F.
on falling temperatures, without temporary heated enclosures or with-
out heating materials or other precautions necessary to prevent freez-
ing. No frozen materials shall be used nor shall frozen masonry be
built upon.
835.4 INCORPORATION OF COMBUSTIBLES: No lumber or other combustible
materials, except nailing blocks and ornamental timber to an extent
permitted by the chasing restrictions of section 838 and the provi-
sions of section 900.2 shall be incorporated in masonry walls, except
as approved for combustible aggregates or component materials after
fire test.
SECTION 836.0 BONDING OF WALLS
Walls of solid, composite and hollow masonry and cavity and other
hollow walls shall be bonded in accordance with accepted engineering
practice.
836.1 RUBBLE STONE WALLS: All stones in rubble masonry shall be
laid on their natural bed and the walls shall be bonded with not less
than one (1) through bond stone for each nine (9) superficial square
feet of area.
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836.2 BUTTRESSES AND PIERS: All buttresses shall be bonded into the
wall by a masonry bond. The piers and buttresses shall have suffi-
cient strength and stability with sufficient bonding or anchorage
between the walls and the supports to resist wind pressure and suction.
836.3 INTERSECTION WALLS AND PARTITIONS: Masonry walls and parti-
tions shall be securely anchored or bonded at points where they in-
tersect by one (1) of the following methods:
a) walls may be bonded by laying at least fifty (50) percent of
the units at the intersection in true masonry bond with alter-
nate units having a bearing of not less than three (3) inches
upon the unit below, or they may be anchored with not less
than three-sixteenths (3/16) inch corrosion-resistant metal
wire ties or joint reinforcement at vertical intervals not to
exceed two (2) feet, or by other equivalent approved anchorage.
b) where walls are carried up separately the intersection shall
be toothed or blocked with eight (8) inch maximum offsets and
shall be provided with approved metal anchors at vertical in-
tervals of not more than four (4) feet or, when approved,
blocking may be eliminated and rigid steel anchors shall be
provided, spaced not more than two (2) feet apart vertically.
c) interior nonloadbearing walls may be bonded or anchored as re-
quired by 1 or 2 above or they may be anchored at their inter-
section, at vertical intervals of not more than two (2) feet,
with at least twenty-two (22) gage corrosion-resistant corru-
gated metal ties seven-eights (7/8) inch in width, or other
equivalent approved method of anchorage .
836.4 ERECTING PRECAUTIONS: Where hollow walls decrease in thick-
ness, a course of solid masonry or of concrete-filled units, or a
continuous bearing plate shall be interposed between the thicker and
thinner sections. No wall shall be built up more than twenty-five
(25) feet in advance of other walls of the same building or structure
unless supported independently at each floor; and all walls shall be
temporarily braced during erection.
SECTION 837.0 LATERAL BRACING OF WALLS
All masonry walls shall be laterally supported by horizontal brac-
ing of floor and roof framing or vertical bracing of columns, buttres-
ses or crosswalls at vertical or horizontal intervals. All masonry
walls shall be subject to the provisions of the reference standards
of this article. Where applicable, masonry walls shall be subject to
control as specified in Section 128.0. All such structures shall en-
sure that provision is made to transfer wind pressures and other
lateral forces to the foundation.
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SECTION 838.0 CHASES AND RECESSES IN BEARING WALLS
838.1 WHERE PERMITTED: Chases and recesses shall be prohibited in
any wall less than twelve (12) inches thick or in the required area
of piers and buttresses; except that eight (8) inch walls where per-
mitted in residential buildings and the apron under window openings
may be chased not more than four (4) inches in depth. Vertical chases
adjacent to bearings of beams or lintels, vertical chases wider than
twelve (12) inches and all horizontal chases shall be proportioned
on the basis of stress analysis and such calculations shall be sub-
mitted by a qualified registered professional engineer or architect.
838.2 MAXIMUM SIZE: The maximum permitted depth of a chase in any
wall shall be not more than one-third (1/3) the wall thickness, and
the maximum length of a horizontal chase or the maximvun horizontal
projection of a diagonal chase shall not exceed four (4) feet except
as provided in section 838.5; and except further that the length of
the apron below window sills in all walls may equal the width of the
window opening; and such aprons in eight (8) inch walls may be chased
not more than four (4) inches in depth when waterproofed. The aggre-
gate area of recesses and chases in any wall shall be not more than
one-fourth (1/4) of the area of the face of the wall in any one story.
838.3 FIRERESISTIVE LIMITATIONS: It shall be unlawful to have chases
or recesses which reduce the thickness of material below the minimum
specified in article 9 for fire walls, fire divisions, fire partitions
or required fire-protective covering of structural members.
838.4 HOLLOW WALLS: When chases and recesses are permitted in hollow
walls and walls constructed of hollow blocks or tile, they shall be
built-in with the wall. It shall be unlawful to cut chases in such
walls after erection.
838.5 CONTINUOUS CHASES: Horizontal chases for the bearing of re-
inforced concrete floor and roof slabs may be continuous, provided
anchors are installed above and below the floor construction to re-
sist the bending and uplift in the wall due to flexure of the slab.
SECTION 839.0 CORBELED AND PROJECTED MASONRY
839.1 LIMITATIONS: No wall less than twelve (12) inches thick shall
be corbeled except to support firestopping around floor framing; and
except that eight (8) inch foundation walls may be corbeled to sup-
port brick-veneer frame and ten (10) inch cavity walls as provided
in section 871. The maximum total horizontal projection of corbels
shall be not more than one-half (1/2) the thickness of the wall. The
maximum projection of one (1) unit shall neither exceed one-half (h)
the depth of the unit nor one-third (1/3) its width at right angles
to the face which is offset.
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839.2 HOLLOW WALLS: Corbeling of hollow masonry or masonry built
of hollow units shall be supported on at least one full course of
solid masonry.
839.3 MOLDED CORNICES: Unless structural support and anchorage is
provided to resist the overturning moment, the center of gravity of
all projecting masonry or molded cornices shall lie within the middle
third of the supporting wall. Terra cotta and metal cornices shall
be provided with a structural frame of approved noncombustible ma-
terial anchored in an approved manner .
840.0 BEARING ON HOLLOW UNIT WALLS
840.1 BEARING DETAILS: Concentrated loads shall be supported upon
a solid construction of solid masonry, concrete, or masonry of hollow
units with cells filled with mortar, grout, or concrete and of suffi-
cient height to distribute safely the loads to the wall, pilaster, or
column, or other adequate provisions shall be made to distribute the
loads .
840.11 JOIST BEARING: Solid construction for support under joists
shall be at least two and one-quarter (2h) inches in height, and
joists supported on such construction shall ej^tend into the masonry
at least three (3) inches.
840.12 BEAM BEARING: Solid construction for support under beams,
girders, or other concentrated loads shall be at least four (4) inches
in height and the bearing of beams shall extend into the masonry at
least three (3) inches.
840.2 CLOSURE TILE: All open cells in tiles or blocks at wall ends
and at openings shall be filled solidly with concrete for a length
of not less than twelve (12) inches, or reversed closure tile shall
be used.
SECTION 841.0 PLAIN CONCRETE
Plain concrete is concrete cast in place and not required to be re-
inforced for structural purposes except with respect to shrinkage and
temperature. Such concrete shall be subject to the reference stan-
dards of this article and, where applicable, subject to control by
section 128.0.
841.1 LIMITATIONS: Plain concrete in loadbearing masonry or where
exposed to soil or where used for f ireresistive purposes, shall be of
such proportions as to have a strength of at least fifteen hundred
(1500) pounds per square inch and where exposed to wetting or freez-
ing at least two thousand (2,000) pounds per square inch.
8-29
SECTION 842.0 REINFORCED CONCRETE
842.1 Concrete materials, design, construction, inspection and
testing involved in structures and parts thereof included in the
categories of section 128.1 shall be subject to the control provi-
sions of section 128.0 and shall conform to the reference standards
of this article. In addition, any other structures or parts thereof,
required by the building official to be subject to section 128.0
shall be subject to the same control as outlined in that section.
842.2 EMBEDDED MECHANICAL FACILITIES: Plumbing and heating piping
and electrical conduits may be embedded in reinforced concrete floor
and wall construction and in column fireproofing as provided in sec-
tion 914.3. Piping for radiant heating purposes may be embedded in
the structural floor or wall slabs, or may be installed in a separate
concrete layer placed in addition to the required fireproof covering,
as approved by the building official. In any case, the required area
of reinforcement shall be provided in addition to such piping; and
the conduits, pipes or other embedded mechanical facilities shall be
so placed as to leave the strength and f ireresistance of the construc-
tion undiminished.
SECTION 843.0 STRUCTURAL CINDER CONCRETE
843.1 AGGREGATES: Approved cinder aggregates where permitted for
use in structural and fireproofing concretes shall consist of clean,
well burned cinders, containing a maximum of thirty-five (35) percent
of unburned carbon and not more than one and one-half (l^g) percent of
sulphur nor more than a total of five (5) percent of volatile materials.
843.2 CINDER CONCRETE PROPORTIONS: Structural cinder concrete shall
be mixed in the proportions of one (1) part Portland cement and not
more than seven (7) parts of fine and coarse aggregate measures sep-
arately with a compressive strength of not less than eight hundred
(800) pounds per square inch at twenty-eight (28) days' age.
SECTION 844.0 SHORT SPAN FLOOR FILLING
For spans not exceeding ten (10) feet between steel flanges, the safe
supporting capacity of concrete floor and roof slabs built as fireproof
floor filling between steel beams shall be determined by the provisions
of the reference standards of this article or in accordance with the
approved rules for stone and light weight aggregate concrete and other
approved fireresistive floor filling.
8-30
SECTION 845.0 CONCRETE-FILLED PIPE COLUMNS
Concrete-filled pipe columns shall be manufactured from standard
extra strong, or double extra strong steel pipe and tubing, filled
with concrete.
845.1 DESIGN: The safe supporting capacity of concrete-filled pipe
columns shall be computed in accordance with good engineering prac-
tice or determined by test. Where computed, the calculations and de-
sign shall be submitted by a qualified registered professional engi-
neer or architect with his seal and signature. Where determined by
test, such testing shall be done by an approved licensed registered
facility.
845.11 CONCRETE: The concrete shall be designed in accordance with
the reference standards of this article and shall be placed to ensure
complete filling without voids.
845.2 CONNECTIONS: All caps, base-plates and connections shall be
of approved types and shall be positively attached to the shell and
anchored to the concrete core. Welding of brackets without mechani-
cal anchorage shall be prohibited. When the pipe is slotted to ac-
commodate webs of brackets or other connections, the integrity of the
shell shall be restored by welding to insure hooping action of the
composite section.
845.3 REINFORCEMENT: To increase the safe load supporting capacity
of concrete-filled pipe columns, the steel reinforcement shall be in
the form of rods, structural shapes or pipe embedded in the concrete
core with sufficient clearance to insure the composite action in the
section, but not nearer than one (1) inch to the exterior steel shell.
All strucutral shapes used as reinforcement shall be milled to insure
bearing on cap and base plates.
845.4 FIRERESISTIVE PROTECTION; Pipe columns shall be of such size
or so protected as to develop the required f irereslstance ratings
specified in table 2-5. When an outer steel shell is used to enclose
the fireproof covering, it shall not be included in the calculations
for strength of the column section.
SECTION 846.0 PNEUMATIC CONCRETE
Construction methods for mortar or concrete deposited pneumatically
(shotcrete) shall conform to the reference standards of this article.
Such mortar or concrete deposited pneumatically shall be applied only
with the approval of the building official and shall be protected and
cured to prevent the temperature falling below fifty (50) degrees F.
or from loss of moisture at the surface. Reinforcement for pneumatic
mortar shall be adequate to meet structural requirements and shall con-
sist of round bars or mesh not less than No. 12 U.S. gage in diameter,
spaced not less than two (2) nor more than four (4) inches either way,
with a gross area of not less than two-tenths (0.2) percent of the
cross-sectional area of the mortar layer.
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846.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Pneumatically placed concrete shall
consist of a mixture of fine aggregate and cement pneumatically
applied by suitable mechanism, and to which water is added immedi-
ately prior to discharge from the applicator. Except as specified
in the following sections, pneumatically placed concrete shall con-
form to the requirements of the Basic Code for reinforced concrete.
846.11 PROPORTIONS: The proportion of cement to aggregate, in loose
dry volume, shall not be less than one (1) to four and one-half {^h) -
846.12 WATER: The water content at the time of discharge, including
moisture in the aggregate, shall not exceed three and one-half (3%)
gallons per sack of cement.
846.13 MIXING: The cement and aggregate shall be thoroughly mixed
prior to the addition of water. At the time of mixing the aggregate
shall contain not less than three (3) percent moisture.
846.2 REBOUND: Any rebound or accumulated loose aggregate shall be
removed from the surfaces to be covered prior to placing the initial
or any succeeding layers of pneumatically placed concrete. Rebound
may be reused if it conforms to the requirements for aggregate, pro-
vided the amount of rebound material used shall not exceed twenty-
five (25) percent of the total aggregate in any batch.
846.3 JOINTS: Unfinished work shall not be allowed to stand for
more than thirty (30) minutes unless all edges are sloped to a thin
edge. Before placing addtional material adjacent to previously ap-
plied work, these sloping edges shall be cleaned and wetted.
846.4 DAMAGE: Any pneumatically placed concrete which subsides after
placement shall be removed .
SECTION 847.0 MINIMUM CONCRETE DIMENSIONS
The protection of reinforced concrete structural elements in build-
ings of fireproof (types 1-A and 1-B) construction shall be adequate
to meet the fire and strength tests of the Basic Code; but in no case
less than the minimum dimensions established by the standards of ac-
cepted engineering practice. Any floor finish not placed monolithic-
ally with floor slabs, shall not be included in the calculations for
structural strength, unless calculations submitted by a registered
professional engineer or architect are submitted to justify incorpora-
tion of the floor finish as part of the structural element.
SECTION 848.0 REINFORCED GYPSUM CONCRETE
Reinforced gypsum concrete for use in buildings and structures shall
consist of a mixture of calcined gypsum and water, with or without the
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addition of wood chips, shavings, fiber or other approved aggregates.
The wood aggregates and gypsum shall be pre-mixed at the mill, re-
quiring only the addition of water at the job or site. The manufac-
ture, design and construction shall comply with the requirements of
the standards of accepted engineering practice listed in the refer-
ence standards of this article.
848.1 LIMITATIONS OF USE: Gypsum concrete shall not be used where
exposed directly to the weather or where subject to frequent or con-
tinuous wetting. To prevent saturation or freezing, protection from
the weather and from contact with moisture shall be furnished during
shipment and storage of prefabricated units, and after erection or
pouring at the site.
SECTION 849.0 REINFORCED BRICKWORK
All systems of brick masonry reinforced with steel in grouted mor-
tar joints for use in the design and construction of buildings and
structures shall conform to the requirements of this section and the
standards of accepted engineering practice listed in the reference
standards of this article. Reinforced brickwork shall be used only
when design specifications are submitted by a registered professional
engineer or architect and, where applicable, shall be subject to the
control of section 128.0.
849.1 DESIGN: The formulae and assumptions used in the design or
reinforced masonry shall be those contained in the reference standards
of this article.
SECTION 850.0 REINFORCED HOLLOW BLOCK CONSTRUCTION
Walls constructed of hollow block or other hollow unit masonry and
reinforced with steel rods grouted solidly into the cells shall be
designed and constructed in accordance with reference standards of
this article; and plans and specifications shall be submitted by a
registered professional engineer or architect. When applicable, the
control of section 128.0 shall apply.
SECTION 851.0 LUMBER AND TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
851.1 DESIGN: Structural lumber and timber and its fastenings shall
be adequately designed and assembled to safely sustain all Imposed
loads. When stress-grade lumber is used and properly identified and
controlled, working stresses may be in accordance with the accepted
engineering practice standards listed in the reference standards of
this article. All lumber used for load supporting purposes shall be
8-33
identified by the grade mark of a lumber grading inspection agency
approved by the State Building Code Commission. Grading practices
and the identification shall be in accordance with rules published
by an agency approved by the Commission. In lieu of a grade mark
on the material, a certificate of inspection as to species and grade
issued by an approved lumber grading or inspection agency may be
accepted by the building official for precut, remanufactured, or
rough sawn lumber; also for sizes larger than three (3) inches nomi-
nal thickness.
851.2 MINIMUM DIMENSIONS.
851.21 SIZES OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS: All lumber sizes specified in
the Basic Code are nominal sizes. Nominal sizes may be shown on the
plans . Computations to determine the required size of members shall
be based on the net dimensions (actual sizes) .
851.22 STRUCTURAL POSTS: All isolated structural posts shall have a
minimum dimension of four (4) inches.
851.3 FABRICATION.
851.31 CONNECTIONS: All connections shall be fabricated with ap-
proved timber connectors, bolts, lag screws, spikes, nails or gluing
or other approved connecting devices in accordance with accepted en-
gineering practice. Bolted connections shall be snugged up tightly
without crushing wood fibers under the washers. All nailed connec-
tions shall meet the minimum requirements of the reference standards
of this article.
851.32 CAMBERING: Trusses and long span girders shall be designed
with sufficient camber or other provision shall be made to compensate
for excessive deflection.
851.33 CUTTING AND NOTCHING: It shall be unlawful to notch, cut or
pierce wood beams, joists, rafters or studs in excess of the limita-
tions herein specified unless proven safe by structural analysis, or
suitably reinforced to transmit all calculated loads. Notches in the
top or bottom of joists shall not exceed one-sixth (1/6) the depth of
the member and shall not be located in the middle one-third (1/3) of
the span. Notches located closer to the supports than three (3)
times the depth of the member shall not exceed one-fifth (1/5) the
depth. Holes bored or cut into joists for piping or electrical cables
shall not be closer than two (2) inches to the top or bottom of the
joist and the diameter of the hole shall not exceed one-third (1/3)
the depth of the joist. In studs of bearing walls or partitions,
notches or bored holes made to receive piping, electrical conduit,
air conditioning or heating duct work or for other fabricating purposes
shall not be cut or bored more than one-third (1/3) the depth of the
stud. When the stud is cut or bored in excess of one-third (1/3)
its depth it shall be reinforced to be equal in load carrying capac-
ity to a stud notched not more than one-third (1/3) its depth.
8-34
851.4 TRIMMER AND HEADER BEAMS: When determined necessary by stress
analysis , trimmer and header beams shall be hung in approved metal or
other approved noncombustible stirrups or hangers, unless supported on
a masonry wall or girder. All such beams shall be spiked together.
851.5 BEARING AND ANCHORAGE ON GIRDERS: All members framing into
girders shall be anchored or tied to secure continuity. The ends of
all wood beams or joists resting on girders shall bear not less than
four (4) inches or shall be supported in approved metal stirrups, hangers
or on wood clips or ribbon strips. Beams framing from opposite sides
shall lap at least six (6) inches and be bolted or spiked together; and
when framing end to end, they shall be secured together by metal ties,
straps or dogs.
851.6 MAINTENANCE: All connections in the joints of timber trusses
and structural frames shall be inspected periodically and bolts and
other connectors shall be maintained tight.
SECTION 852.0 HEAVY TIMBER TYPE CONSTRUCTION
852.1 WOOD: All structural wood members sawn or glued laminated used
in heavy timber type construction shall be stress-grade timbers identi-
fied as to grade strength by approved manufacturing, testing, or inspec-
tion agencies or bureaus. All structural timber members shall have the
minimum dimensions specified in section 217.1 for type 3-A construction.
852.2 OTHER STRUCTURAL MATERIALS: Structural steel or reinforced con-
crete members may be substitued for timber in any part of the structural
frame, protected to develop the required f ireresistance specified in
table 2-5, but not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance.
Structural members supporting walls shall be protected to afford the
same f ireresistance rating as the wall supported.
852.3 COLUMNS: Columns shall be continuous or superimposed throughout
all stories by means of reinforced concrete or metal caps with brackets,
or shall be connected by properly designed steel or iron caps, with pintles
and base plates, or be timber splice plates affixed to the columns by means
of metal connectors housed within the contact faces, or by other approved
methods. Girder or trusses supporting columns shall have at least three-
quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance.
852.4 FLOORS: The planks shall be laid so that no continuous line of
joints will occur except at points of support and so that they are not
spiked to supporting girders. Flooring shall not extend closer than one-
half (}i) inch to walls to provide an expansion joint, but the joint shall
be covered at top or bottom to avoid flue action.
852.5 BEAMS AND GIRDERS.
852.51 WALL AND GIRDER SUPPORTS: Wall plate boxes of self-releasing
type or approved hangers shall be provided where beams and girders enter
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masonry. An air space of one-half (h) inch shall be provided at the
top, end and sides of the member unless approved durable or treated
wood is used. Where intermediate beams are used to support a floor,
they shall rest on top of the girders, or shall be supported by led-
gers or blocks securely fastened to the sides of the girders, or they
may be supported by approved metal hangers into which the ends of the
beams shall be closely fitted. Wood beams and girders supported by
walls required to have a f ireresistance rating of two (2) hours or
more shall have not less than four (4) inches of solid masonry be-
tween their ends and the outside face of the wall and between adjacent
beams. Adequate roof anchorage shall be provided.
852,52 COLUMN CONNECTIONS: Where intermediate beams are used to support
a floor, they shall rest on top of the girders, or shall be supported by
ledgers or blocks securely fastened to the sides of the girders, or they
may be supported by approved metal hangers into which the ends of the
beams shall be closely fitted.
SECTION 853.0 WOOD FRAME CONSTRUCTION
The exterior walls, interior partitions, floors and roofs of wood frame
construction shall be designed, braced and constructed to develop adequate
strength and rigidity to resist all vertical and lateral forces due to
both dead and live loads without exceeding the stresses allowed in this
section for the various grades and species of wood. Standard balloon,
braced, platform, and post and beam types of construction shall be ac-
ceptable framing methods . Sizes of wood members stated in this section
are nominal sizes, materials, design, and construction methods shall meet
the requirements in those applicable sections of the reference standards
of this article.
853.1 WOOD-STUD FRAME.
853.11 BEARING WALLS: Posts and studs in bearing walls and partitions
shall be designed as columns , with due allowance for lateral support
furnished by sheathing, intermediate bracing, horizontal bridging, wall
coverings and the floor and roof assemblies. The walls shall be fabri-
cated in such a manner as to provide adequate support for the material
used to enclose the building and to provide for transfer of all lateral
loads to the foundation, in accordance with section 804.3.
853.12 NON-BEARING WALLS: Studs in non-bearing walls and partitions
shall not be spaced more than forty-eight (48) inches on centers unless
otherwise approved after test as an integrated assembly, and may be
erected with the long dimension parallel to the wall.
853.13 BRACING: In buildings more than one(l) story in height and where
necessary for strength in one (1) story buildings, the corner posts shall
be the equivalent of not less than three (3) pieces of two (2) by four
(4) inch studs, braced by not less than one (1) piece of one (1) by
8-36
four (4) inch continuous diagonal brace let into the studs. Bracing
may be omitted when diagonal wood sheathing or plywood panels are used,
or other sheathing specified in section 853.2 is applied vertically in
panels of not less than four (4) feet by eight (8) feet in area with
approved nailing complying with the reference standards of this article.
Ledger or ribbon boards used in support joists shall be not less than
one (1) by four (4) inches in size, cut into and securely nailed to
each stud.
853.14 MORTISE AND TENON FRAMING: Where mortise and tenon framing is
used, the vertical members of the frame shall be not less than four
(4) by six (6) inches in size and shall be designed as a column.
853.15 MULTIPLE STORIES: When the frame is more than one (1) story
in height and studs and posts are not continuous from sill to roof,
the members shall be secured together with approved clips, splices
or other connections to insure a continuous, well integrated struc-
ture. Sheet metal clamps, ties or clips shall be formed of galvan-
ized steel or other approved corrosion-resistive materials equivalent
to No. 20 U.S. gage steel sheets for two (2) inch framing members and
not less than No. 18 U.S. gage for three (3) inch structural members.
For four (4) inch and larger members, column splices and beam and gir-
der supports shall comply with section 854.
853.16 FRAMING OVER OPENINGS: Headers, double joists, trusses or
other approved assemblies of adequate size to transfer all superimposed
loads to the vertical member shall be provided over all window and
door openings in bearing walls and partitions.
853.2 WALL SHEATHING: Except as provided in section 853.3 for weather
boarding or when stucco- construction complying with section 821.5 is
used, all enclosed buildings shall be sheathed with one of the materials
of the following nominal thickness or any other material of equal strength
and durability approved by the building official.
Reinforced cement mortar 1 inch
Wood sheathing 5/8 inch
Particleboard 3/8 inch
Plywood 5/16 inch
Gypsum sheathing 1/2 inch
Fiber boards 1/2 inch
853.21 PAPER-BACKED LATH SHEATHING: In one- and two-family dwellings
and one (1) story commercial buildings with brick or similar veneers
the sheathing may consist of a layer of paper-backed lath complying
with section 821.4 with a one (1) inch intermediate space which shall
be mortar filled as each course of veneering is applied.
853.3 EXTERIOR WEATHER BOARDING, VENEERS AND CONDENSATION: To secure
weather-tightness in framed walls and other unoccupied spaces, the ex-
terior walls shall be faced with an approved weather-resisting covering
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properly attached to resist wind and rain. The cellular spaces shall
be so ventilated as not to vitiate the firestopping at roof, attic and
roof levels or shall be provided with interior non-corrodible vapor -type
barriers complying with the approved rules; or other means shall be used
to avoid condensation and leakage of moisture. The following materials
shall be acceptable as approved weather coverings of the nominal thick-
ness specified:
Brick masonry veneers 2 inches
Stone veneers 2 inches
Clay tile veneers 1/4 to 1 inch
Stucco or exterior plaster 3/4 inch
Precast stone facing 5/8 inch
Wood siding (without sheathing) 1/2 inch
Wood siding (with sheathing) 3/8 inch
Protected fiber board siding . 1/2 inch
Wood shingles 3/8 inch
Exterior plywood (without sheathing) .... See sec. 825.2
Exterior plywood (with sheathing) 5/16 inch
Asbestos shingles 5/32 inch
Al.uminum Cement boards 1/8 inch
Aluminum clapboard siding 024 inch
Formed steel siding 29 gage
Hardboard siding 1/4 inch
853.31 MASONRY VENEERS: See section 860.0.
853.32 METAL VENEERS: See section 860.0.
853.33 HEIGHT OF VENEERS: See section 860.0.
853.34 NAILING: All weatherboard ing and wall and roof coverings shall
be securely nailed with aluminum, copper, zinc, zinc-coated or other ap-
proved corrosion-resistive nails in accordance with the nailing schedule
in the reference standards of this article, or the approved manufacturer's
standards.
Shingles and other weather coverings shall be attached with appro-
priate standard shingle nails to furring strips securely nailed to
studs, or with approved mechanically-bonding nails except when sheath-
ing is wood not less than one (1) inch nominal thickness or plywood
not less than five-sixteenths (5/16) inch thick.
Wood shingles or shakes attached with approved corrosion-resistive
annular grooved nails may be applied over fiberboard shingle backer
and fiberboard sheathing when the installation is in accordance with
the approved manufacturer's standards. Wood shingles or shakes and
asbestos shingles or siding may be nailed directly to nail base fiber-
board sheathing not less than one-half (h) inch nominal thickness with
approved corrosion-resistive annular grooved nails when the installa-
tion is in accordance with the approved manufacturer's standards.
8-38
853.4 FOUNDATION ANCHORAGE: When required to resist wind uplift,
walls sills shall be anchored to the foundation walls or piers at
corners and at intermediate intervals of not more than eight (8)
feet with one-half (%) inch bolts. The bolts shall be imbedded in
the masonry foundation to a depth of not less than eight (8) inches
in placed concrete, and not less than fifteen (15) inches in unit
masonry. Sill plates shall be at least equivalent to a two (2) by
six (6) inch member.
853.5 AT-GRADE PROTECTION.
853.51 WOOD FRAMING: All exterior wood framework of buildings whether
structural or non load-bearing shall be supported on approved founda-
tion walls at least eight (8) inches above the finished grade.
853.52 METAL SIDING: Exposed metal siding or sheathing shall be pro-
tected from corrosion at the ground level by supporting the foundation
channel at sufficient height above grade on the concrete apron or other
approved water-resisting foundation.
853.6 FLOORS.
853.61 BRIDGING: Except as hereinafter noted, in all floor, attic and
roof framing, there shall be not less than one (1) line of bridging for
each eight (8) feet of span. The bridging shall consist of not less
than one (1) by three (3) inch lumber, double-nailed at each end, or of
equivalent metal bracing of equal rigidity. A line of bridging shall
also be required at supports where adequate lateral support is not other-
wise provided .
Midspan bridging is not required for floor, attic or roof framing in
one- and two-family dwellings (use group L-3) and multi-family dwellings
(use group L-2) except when the joist depth exceeds twelve (12) inches
nominal and/or when the minimum uniformly distributed live load exceeds
forty (40) pounds per square foot.
853.62 FLOORING: The flooring of wood frame construction shall be of
adequate strength and stiffness to support required loads and, where
necessary for strength and for lateral support of the building, sub-
flooring shall be provided.
853.7 ROOFS.
853.71 TYPES OF DECKING AND SHEATHING: Roof deck sheathing shall consist
of not less than one (1) inch boards or plywood of the thickness specified
in section 825.3, or other approved materials of equivalent strength and
rigidity. When open-deck sheathing is used on pitched roofs, it shall
consist of not less than one (1) by four (4) inch roofers spaced not more
than six (6) inches on centers or material of equivalent strength and
rigidity.
8-39
853.72 WOOD SHINGLES: Wood shingles and handsplit shakes comply-
ing with the reference standards of this article may be used for
roof covering where permitted in section 928.3, and may be install-
ed on tight decking or on spaced roof boards.
853.8 FLASHING: Approved corrosion-resistive flashing shall be pro-
vided at top and sides of all exterior window and door openings in
such manner as to be leakproof . Similar flashings shall be installed
at the intersection of chimneys or other masonry construction with
frame or stucco walls, with projecting lips on both sides under
stucco copings; under and at the ends of masonry, wood or metal cop-
ings and sills; continuously above all projecting wood trim; at wall
and roof intersections; under built-in gutters; at junction of chim-
neys and roofs; in all roof valleys and around all roof openings.
When veneers of natural or artificial stone are used, fourteen (14)
pound felt or paper shall be attached to the sheathing with flashing
wherever necessary to prevent moisture penetration behind the veneer.
853.9 INTERIOR FINISH: In all habitable spaces, interior wall and
partition surfaces shall be finished with materials which do not ex-
ceed the combustible limitations of section 904.0 and are of adequate
strength to resist a horizontal force of not less than five (5) pounds
per square foot .
SECTION 854.0 STRESS SKIN PANELS
854.1 INTEGRATED ASSEMBLIES: Approved panels or other integrated
assemblies fabricated of dimension lumber with wood stress-coverings
glued thereto, or consisting of structural units of metal -covered or
molded plywood or other approved plastics, formed and molded into
prefabricated load-bearing members shall be permitted for use in floors,
roofs, walls, partitions and ceilings when designed in accordance with
the reference standards of this article or meeting the test require-
ments of sections 803, 804, and 805.
854.2 SPLICES: Splices and connections between panels shall be weath-
ertight and of sufficient strength to resist two and one-half (2h)
times the design live load to which they will be subjected in normal
use. The fastenings of covering assemblies to structural studs, ribs
or joists shall provide rigidity equivalent to approved gluing. Nail-
ing shall not be acceptable for that purpose.
854.3 MOLDED PLYWOOD UNITS: Structural units of plywood or other
approved plastics of similar combustible characteristics formed and
molded into prefabricated load-bearing members shall conform to the
approved rules and shall be identified by the approved label. The
design shall be based on accepted engineering analysis confirmed by
the tests prescribed in sections 803 and 804.
8-40
SECTION 855.0 STRUCTURAL GLUED LAMINATED TIMBER AND BUILT-UP WOOD
CONSTRUCTION
Buildings and structures may be designed and erected of glued lam-
inated structural members or of composite members of plywood and di-
mension lumber.
855.1 STRUCTURAL GLUED LAMINATED TIMBER: Structural glued lamina-
ted timber elements shall be manufactured in conformity with the
provisions of the reference standards of this article.
855.2 GLUED LUMBER MEMBERS: Built-up beam and column sections con-
sisting of one or more webs with glued lumber flanges and stiffeners,
shall be designed in accordance with approved engineering analysis.
855.21 GLUING SURFACES: In glued lumber constructions, the surfaces
to be glued shall be clean, plane and sound to provide a controlled
glue line. The surfaces shall be free of wax, grease, oil or any
other release agents to ensure full strength bonding.
8-41
ARTICLE 8 - PART C
BUILDING ENCLOSURES, WALLS AND
WALL THICKNESS
SECTION 856.0 ENCLOSURE WALLS: All buildings, except as may be pro-
vided for miscellaneous structures designed for special uses, shall
be enclosed on all sides with independent or party walls of frame,
masonry or other approved construction. Such walls shall be con-
structed to afford the f ireresistance specified in table 2-5 and as
required in the Basic Code for location, use and type of construction.
856.1 EXTERIOR WALL POCKETS: In exterior walls of all buildings
and structures, wall pockets or crevices in which moisture may ac-
cumulate shall be avoided or protected with adequate caps or drips,
or other approved means shall be provided to prevent water damage.
856.2 EXCEPTIONS: The provisions of this article shall not be deemed
to prohibit the omission of exterior walls for all or part of a story
of a building in accordance with the provisions of section 906.1.
856.3 GLASS PANELS.
856.31 CONDITIONS OF USE: Glass, where used in exterior walls and
for doors shall be subject to the provisions of this section. Glass
subject to the requirements of human impact shall be identified by a
permanent marking on each piece of glass so used.
856.32 SUPPORT FOR GLASS PANELS: Glass shall be firmly held in place,
and the supports designed to resist any wind or impact load to which it
may be subject. Where unusual conditions of support exist, they shall
be designed and specified by a registered professional engineer or
architect.
856.33 GLASS REQUIREMENTS: Unless otherwise stated herein, glass
shall meet the requirements of the reference standards of this article
for the applicable type, size, thickness and quality.
856.34 THICKNESS OF GLASS: Thicknesses of glass panels shall be
chosen as provided in section 803.11.
856.35 DEFLECTION OF SUPPORT: The deflection of members supporting
glass panels under the design wind load shall not exceed L/175 where
L is the span of the supporting member . In no case shall such de-
flection exceed three-quarters (3/4) inch.
856.36 JALOUSIES: In jalousie windows and doors regular plate, float,
sheet or rolled glass thickness shall be not less than three-sixteenths
(3/16) inch; glass length shall not be more than forty-eight (48) in-
ches; glass edges shall be smooth. Other types of glass may be used
subject to the approval of the building official.
8-42
856.37 PANELS SUBJECT TO HUMAN IMPACT LOADS: Glass in prime and
storm doors, interior doors, fixed glass panels that may be mistaken
for means of egress or ingress, or in similar locations wherein one
or more of the following criteria apply, shall meet the requirements
set forth in table 8-1, or by comparative tests, shall be proven to
produce equivalent performance:
a) Openings are located in regularly occupied spaces.
b) Lowest point of panel is less than eighteen (18) inches
above finished floor.
c) Minimum dimension of panel is larger than eighteen (18) inches.
SECTION 857.0 PROTECTION OF WALL OPENINGS
857.1 FIRE-PROTECTED OPENINGS: Openings in exterior walls when re-
quired to be fire-protected shall comply with the provisions of ar-
ticle 9.
TABLE 8-1
REQUIREMENTS FOR GLASS PANELS SUBJECT TO IMPACT LOADS
Glass Type
Individual
Opening Area
Requirements
Regular plate, sheet or
rolled (annealed)
Over 6 Not less than 3/16 inch
square feet thick. Must be protected
by a push-bar or protective
grille firmly attached on
each exposed side, if not
divided by a muntin.
Regular plate, sheet or Over 6
rolled (annealed) surface square feet
sandblasted, etched, or
otherwise depreciated
Not less than 7/32 inch
thick. Must be protected by
a push-bar or protective
grille attached on each
exposed side.
Regular plate, sheet or Over 6
rolled (annealed) obscure square feet
Not less than 3/16 inch
thick. Must be protected by
a push-bar or grille firmly
attached on each exposed side.
Laminated
Over 6 Not less than 1/4 inch thick,
square feet Shall pass impact test require-
ments of reference standard
RS 8-75.
Full-tempered
Over 6
square feet
Shall pass impact test require-
ments of reference standard RS 8-
Wired
Over 6 Not less than 7/32 inch thick,
square feet Shall pass impact test requiremem
of reference standard RS 8-75 . a
All unframed glass doors
(swinging)
Shall be fully-tempered glass and
pass impact test requirements of
reference standard RS 8-75.
8-43
NOTES:
1) Glass less than single strength (SS) in thickness shall not
be used.
2) If short dimension is larger than twenty-four (24) inches,
glass must be double strength (DS) or thicker.
857.2 AREA OF OPENINGS: All openings facing on a street, yard,
court, or public space which are required for light and ventila-
tion shall comply with the provisions of article 5.
857.3 STRUCTURAL STRENGTH.
857.31 AGAINST WIND FORCES: In all buildings required to resist
wind pressure under the provisions of article 7, exterior window
openings shall be designed to resist the specified factored wind
load.
857.32 SASH OR FRAMES: The glass, or other approved glazing material
shall be of adequate thickness or shall be provided with steel frames
or otherwise reinforced to resist the wind loads specified in article
7 blowing both inwardly and outwardly.
SECTION 858.0 FIRE ACCESS PANELS
Completely enclosed buildings, without exterior openings in the en-
closure walls, or without ready access for the purpose of fighting
fire, shall be provided with access panels as required herein. Ac-
cess panels shall be not less than thirty-two (32) inches by forty-
eight (48) inches in size.
858.1 MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS: In all exterior walls of the building
required to have thirty (30) foot wide open space adjacent thereto
(see sections 307.1 and 308.1), each floor below a height of sev-
enty (70) feet shall be provided with access panels spaced not more
than fifty (50) feet apart in each story.
858.2 SINGLE-STORY BUILDINGS: In one (1) story buildings not more
than seventy (70) feet in height:
a) roof vents shall be provided, spaced not more than one
hundred twenty-five (125) feet apart; and
b) grade level doors, or fire access panels shall be provided
spaced not more than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet
apart in all exterior walls of the building required to
have thirty (30) foot wide open space adjacent thereto
(see sections
858.3 CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS PANELS: Construction access panels
a) shall have a sill height of not more than thirty-six (36)
inches; and
8-44
b) shall be readily identifiable from the outside; and
c) shall be readily openable from the outside or shall be
glazed with plain flat glass.
858.4 LOCATION: Wherever practicable, one access opening in each
story shall provide access to a stairway, or where there is no stair-
way at the exterior wall, one access opening in each story shall be
located as close as practicable to a stairway.
858.5 EXEMPTIONS: The provisions of this article shall not apply
to any story that is completely protected by an automatic sprinkler
system conforming to the construction requirements of article 12.
SECTION 859.0 STRUCTURAL GLASS BLOCK WALLS
859.1 EXTERIOR WALL PANELS: The maximum dimensions of glass block
wall panels in exterior walls when used singly or in multiples form-
ing continuous bands of structural glass blocks between structural
supports shall be twenty-five (25) feet in length and twenty (20)
feet in height between structural supports and expansion joints; and
the area of each individual panel shall be not more than two hundred
and fifty (250) square feet. Intermediate structural supports shall
be provided to support the dead load of the wall and all other super-
imposed loads. When individual panels are more than one hundred and
forty-four (144) square feet in area a supplementary stiffener shall
be provided behind the panels, anchored thereto and to the structural
supports.
859.2 JOINT MATERIALS: Glass blocks shall be laid up in type S or
N mortar with approved galvanized or other noncorrosive metal wall
ties in the horizontal mortar joints of exterior panels. The sills
of glass block panels shall be coated with approved asphaltic emul-
sion, or other elastic waterproofing material previous to laying the
first mortar course and the perimeter of the panels shall be caulked
to a depth of not less than one-half (h) inch with nonhardening caulk-
ing compound on both faces; or other approved expansion joints shall
be provided. When laid up in joint materials other than mortars here-
in defined, no single panel shall be more than one hundred (100) square
feet in area nor more than ten (10) feet in either length or height.
859.3 WIND AND EARTHQUAKE LOADS: Exterior wall panels shall be held
in place in the wall opening to resist both the internal and external
pressures due to wind and earthquake loads specified in sections 713.0
and 719.0.
859.4 INTERIOR WALL PANELS: Structural glass blocks shall not be
used in fire walls or party walls or for load-bearing construction.
Such blocks shall be erected with mortar in metal frames or rein-
forcement as provided in this section for exterior walls or other
approved joint materials, except that wood strip framing may be used
in partitions not required to be f ireresistive.
8-45
859.5 FIRERESISTANCE RA.TING: Nothing herein contained shall be
construed to prohibit the use of glass blocks in an opening pro-
tective assembly or nonbearing partition or wall when required to
afford a specific f ireresistance, provided approval of the build-
ing official is secured after satisfactory time-temperature per-
formance under the prescribed test procedure of article 9.
859.6 ACCESS PANELS: Access panels shall be provided in exterior
glass block walls for the fire department use to comply with sec-
tion 858.0
SECTION 860.0 WALL FACINGS AND VENEERS
860.1 BACKING SURFACES FOR VENEERS: Veneers for other than frame
buildings, shall be attached only to substantial, rigid, noncombus-
tible surfaces which are plumb, straight and of true plane; and no
wood backing surfaces shall be used except in frame construction.
The backing shall provide sufficient rigidity, stability and weather
resistance; and the veneer shall be installed and anchored as re-
quired in the Basic Code for the specific material.
860.2 VENEER THICKNESS: No materials used for nonbearing veneers on
masonry walls shall have less than the following thickness :
Ceramic veneer (architectural terra cotta -
anchored type) 1 inch
Brick 2 inches
Stone (natural) 2 inches
Stone (cast artificial) 1-1/2 inches
Clay tile (structural) 1-3/4 inches
Clay tile (flat slab) 1/4 to 1 inch
Marble slabs 1 inch
Precast stone facing 5/8 inch
Structural glass 11/32 inch
Aluminum clapboard siding 024 inch
Metal (approved corrosion-resistive) 28 U.S. Gage
Masonry or other approved noncombustible materials used as facing
on bearing walls or partitions shall not be considered to have struc-
tural value and shall be excluded in the determination of required
wall thickness.
860.3 MASONRY VENEERS: Veneers of unit masonry shall be attached
to the wood frame with at least twenty-two (22) gage corrosion-
resistive, corrugated metal ties not less than seven-eighths (7/8)
inch in width at vertical intervals of not more than sixteen (16)
inches and horizontal intervals of not more than thirty-two (32)
inches .
860.4 METAL VENEERS: Veneers of metal shall be fabricated from ap-
proved corrosion-resistive materials or shall be protected front and
back with porcelain enamel or shall be otherwise treated to render
the metal resistant to corrosion. Such veneers shall be not less
than No. 29 gage in thickness mounted on wood or metal furring strips
or approved sheathing on the frame construction.
8-46
860.5 HEIGHT OF VENEERS: The height and length of veneer areas
shall be unlimited, except as required to control expansion and
contraction. When attached to wood frame structures as provided
in section 860.3, the veneer shall be supported on footings or
foundation walls.
860.6 VENEER OR MASONRY: Veneer attached to masonry or concrete
backing shall not be limited in height other than by compressive
stresses. Veneer shall be securely attached to the masonry or con-
crete in an approved manner.
SECTION 861.0 STRUCTURAL GLASS VENEERS
861.1 DIMENSIONS: The minimum thickness of glass veneer shall be
eleven thirty-seconds (11/32) inch and the area of individual panels
shall not exceed ten (10) square feet, with a maximum length of four
(4) feet. The edge of each unit shall be ground square with a slight
arris; and all exposed, external corners and angles shall be rounded
to a radius of not more than three-sixteenths (3/16) inch.
861.2 CONSTRUCTION.
861.21 BACKING SURFACE: The glass veneer shall be set in mastic
cement on a float coat of one (1) inch thick cement mortar reinforced
with wire lath attached to noncombustible furring spaced not more
than twelve (12) inches on centers.
861.22 SUPPORT OF VENEER: The base course of glass units shall be
supported on a corrosion-resistive metal frame anchored to the back-
ing and caulked with a waterproof compound at grade.
861.3 REINFORCEMENT: Metal reinforcing of cold formed corrosion-
resistive angles of not less than No. 16 U.S. gage or other approved
reinforcement shall be provided in all horizontal joints anchored
into the masonry wall with expansion or toggle bolts.
861.4 EXPANSION JOINTS: Expansion joints shall be provided at ends
and intermediate sections caulked with an approved waterproofing com-
pound as required by the approved rules. Where necessary for water-
tightness, exposed edges shall be protected with corrosion-resistive
metal or other approved noncombustible flashing.
861.5 OTHER LOADS: No signs, awning brackets or other loads shall
be hung directly from glass veneers, but shall be supported on fram-
ing anchored to or otherwise supported by the masonry wall, free
from contact with glass.
SECTION 862.0 THIN STONE AND TILE VENEERS
862.1 SIZE OF UNITS: In localities subject to frost and freezing
temperatures, tile and terra cotta units shall be frost-proof and
shall not be more than two hundred and eighty-eight (288) square in-
ches in area; and where not subject to frost action, the size of the
tile may be increased not more than fifty (50) percent in area.
8-47
862.2 CONSTRUCTION: One (1) inch thick marble, granite, terra cotta,
and similar materials; or ceramic tile facing one-quarter (h) to one
(1) inch in thickness shall be set in accordance with the applicable
standards listed in the reference section of this article.
SECTION 863.0 METAL VENEERS
863.1 MATERIALS: Veneers of metal shall be fabricated from approved
corrosion-resistive alloys, or shall be covered front and back with
approved porcelain enamel, or otherwise treated to render the metal
resistant to corrosion.
863.2 CONSTRUCTION: The metal veneer shall be securely attached to
the masonry or supported on approved metal framing protected by paint-
ing, galvanizing or other approved protection, or on wood studs and
furring strips, treated with an approved preservative process.
863.3 WATERPROOFING: All joints and edges exposed to the weather
shall be caulked with approved durable waterproofing material or by
other approved means to prevent penetration of moisture.
863.4 GROUNDING METAL VENEERS: Grounding of metal veneers on all
buildings shall comply with the requirements of the Massachusetts
State Electrical Code.
SECTION 864.0 PLASTIC VENEERS
Veneers of approved weather-resisting non-combustible plastics shall
be erected and anchored on a foundation coat, waterproofed or other-
wise protected from moisture adsorption and sealed with a coat of
mastic or other approved waterproof coating in accordance with the
approved rules.
SECTION 865.0 THICKNESS OF SOLID MASONRY WALLS
All masonry walls shall be of a thickness conforming to the refer-
ence standards of this article and subject to the maximum stresses,
combined or direct as provided in this Code or in the reference
standards .
SECTION 866.0 THICKNESS OF PANEL WALLS
866.1 SOLID PANEL WALLS: Panel, apron or spandrel walls as defined in
the Basic Code supported at vertical intervals not exceeding thirteen
(13) feet in height, shall not be limited in thickness, provided they
meet the f ireresistive requirements of article 9 and table 2-5, and
are constructed of approved noncombustible weather-resisting materials
of adequate strength to resist the wind loads specified in sections
713 and 714.
8-48
866.2 HOLLOW PANEL WALLS: Unless constructed of the materials and
thickness specified by the accepted engineering standards for masonry,
hollow panel walls shall be tested and approved in the assembled unit
as constructed in normal practice to develop the required fireresis-
tance ratings specified in table 2-5 for exposure on both faces.
866.3 WEATHER RESISTANCE: When the construction as tested and ap-
proved for f ireresistance does not possess the required weather re-
sistance, it shall be covered on the exterior with approved corrosion-
resistive metal facings or other approved noncombustible weather-
resisting veneers.
866.4 ANCHORAGE: All panel walls shall be anchored to the structural
frame to insure adequate lateral support and resistance to wind and
to earthquake forces where subject to seismic disturbances.
SECTION 867.0 THICKNESS OF PARAPET WALLS
All masonry exterior walls shall be constructed with parapet walls
extending not less than two (2) feet above the roof, except in one-
and two-family dwellings and structures where the roof overhangs
the wall, or in places where such walls are capped with cornices
or gutters; and except as required for fire walls in section 907
or as herein specifically provided.
867.1 MINIMUM THICKNESS AND HEIGHT: Parapet walls shall be of the
same thickness as the wall below; but in no case shall the required
thickness exceed twelve (12) inches, nor shall the height be more
than four (4) times the thickness unless laterally supported by non-
combustible bracing or buttresses.
867.2 PARTY WALLS WITH FLAT ROOFS: Parapet walls erected between
two (2) structures in residential use groups, with flat roofs not
more than forty (40) feet in height, need not extend more than six
(6) inches above the roof.
867.3 PARTY WALLS WITH PITCHED ROOFS: Party walls in buildings and
structures in residential use groups, the roofs of which slope at an
angle of thirty (30) degrees or more from the horizontal, may stop at
the level of the top of the roof boards, provided no combustible ma-
terial passes through the wall, and the junction of roof and walls is
completely weatherproof ed and firestopped.
867.4 COPING: The top of all parapet walls exposed to the weather
shall be coped with approved noncombustible and weather-resisting
materials ,
SECTION 868.0 FOUNDATION WALLS
868.1 DESIGN: Foundation walls shall be designed to resist frost ac-
tion and to support safely all vertical and lateral loads as provided
in article 7 and shall extend to a minimum depth of four (4) feet below
grade. The maximum stresses due to combined load shall be within the
8-49
868.1 DESIGN: Foundation walls shall be designed to resist frost
action and to support safely all vertical and lateral loads as provided
in article 7 and shall extend to a minimum depth of four (4) feet below
grade. The maximum stresses due to combined load shall be within the
values specified for the materials used in the construction. Unless
properly reinforced, tensile stresses shall not exceed those permitted
in plain masonry.
868.2 MINIMUM THICKNESS: The thickness of foundation wall shall be not
less than the thickness of the wall supported and the minimum thickness
shall be limited for the various materials of construction as herein
specified. Eight (8) inch foundation walls shall be permitted under
brick-veneered frame and under ten (10) inch cavity walls when the total
height of wall supported including gables is not more than twenty (20)
feet;
868.21 REINFORCED CONCRETE: When reinforced concrete is required to
resist all stresses, foundation walls shall be not less than eight (8)
inches thick.
868.22 HOLLOW AND SOLID MASONRY AND MASS CONCRETE: The thickness of
masonry foundation walls shall not be less than shown in the following
table for the type of foundation and superstructure construction used.
The combined height of eight (8) inch foundation wall and the wall
supported shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet.
THICKNESS OF FOUNDATION WALLS
Foundation Wall
Construction
Maximum Depth Below Grade (feet)
Note 1.2
Type
Thickness
(inches)
Frame
Masonry
Veneer
Masonry
Hollow
masonry
8
10
12
4 (6)
5 (7)
7
4.5
5.5
7
(6)
(7)
5 (7)
6 (7)
7
Solid
masonry
8
10
12
5 (7)
6 (7)
7
5.5
6
7
(7)
(7)
6 (7)
6.5(7)
7
Mass
concrete
8
7
7
7
Note 1. Depth below grade may be increased up to those shown in
parentheses where such increase is warranted by soil conditions and
local experience and is required by the building official.
Note 2. Where height of unbalanced fill (height of finish grade above
basement floor or inside grade) exceeds seven (7) feet, foundation wall
thickness shall be determined by structural analysis as required in
section 869.1.
8-50
868.23 HOLLOW UNIT WALLS: Foundation walls of approved hollow
masonry units shall be provided with not less than four (4) inches
of solid masonry at girder bearings or shall be strengthened with
buttresses;
868.24 RUBBLE STONE: Foundation walls of rough or random rubble
stone shall be not less than sixteen (16) inches thick;
868.25 BONDING: All foundation walls shall be bonded as required
for superstructure walls in section 836.
868.3 INCREASED THICKNESS WITH DEPTH: When any foundation wall,
other than a wall that is designed as a retaining wall, extends more
than twelve (12) feet below the top of the first floor beams, the
thickness of the wall shall be Increased four (4) inches for each
additional twelve (12) feet or fraction thereof in depth.
868.4 CORBELS ON EIGHT INCH WALLS: Where an eight (8) inch wall is
corbeled, the top corbel course shall be a full header course of head-
ers at least six (6) inches in length, extending not higher than the
bottom of the floor framing. The maximum projection of one (1) unit
shall neither exceed one-half (Jj) the depth of the unit nor one-third
(1/3) its width at right angles to the face which is offset.
868.5 LATERAL STABILITY: Foundation walls of buildings and struc-
tures which serve as retaining walls shall conform to the applicable
requirements of section 869 or shall be strengthened with buttresses
or additional wall thickness to resist lateral soil and hydrostatic
pressure when subjected thereto.
SECTION 869.0 RETAINING WALLS
Walls built to retain or support the lateral pressure of earth or
water or other superimposed loads shall be designed and constructed
of approved masonry, reinforced concrete, steel piling or other ap-
proved materials within the allowable stresses of accepted engineer-
ing practice.
869.1 DESIGN: Retaining walls shall be designed to resist the pres-
sure of the retained material including both dead and live load sur-
charges to which they may be subjected, and to insure stability
against overturning, sliding, excessive foundation pressure and water
uplift. Retaining walls meeting the requirements of section 128.1
shall be subject to control as provided in section 128.0.
869.2 HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE: Unless drainage is provided, the hydro-
static head of water pressure shall be assumed equal to the height of
the wall .
869.3 COPING: All masonry retaining walls other than reinforced
concrete walls shall be protected with an approved coping.
8-51
SECTION 870.0 ISOLATED PIERS
Isolated masonry piers shall be bonded as required for solid walls
of the same thickness and shall be provided with adequate means for
distributing the load on the top of the pier.
SECTION 871.0 WATERPROOFING
The exterior structural elements of all buildings herein specified
shall be waterproofed in accordance with the approved rules.
871.1 STEEL FRAME: Exterior steel columns and girders before embed-
ment in masonry of the required fireresistance specified in table 2-5
shall be protected from moisture by approved waterproofing material,
a parging coat of cement mortar or by a minimum of eight (8) inches
of weather-tight masonry.
871.2 CHASES: The backs and sides of all chases in exterior walls
with less than eight (8) inches of approved masonry to the exterior
surface shall be insulated and waterproofed.
871.3 FOUNDATIONS: Exterior wall below grade and the cellar floors
of all buildings for institutional and residential uses (use groups
H and I) enclosing habitable or occupiable rooms or spaces below
grade shall be made watertight, and when necessary shall be reinforc-
ed to withstand water pressure as prescribed in sections 710 and
869. The basement walls of buildings in the residential use groups
and the walls of all habitable and occupiable rooms and spaces below
grade shall be protected with not less than one-coat application of
approved waterproofing paint, or a one-half Oi) inch parging coat of
Portland cement mortar or other approved dampproof covering.
871.4 TYPES OF WATERPROOFING: The processes and methods used to
render building, structures or parts thereof watertight as herein re-
quired shall comply with accepted engineering practice covering types
of waterproofing.
SECTION 872.0 RATPROOFING
All buildings and strucutres and the walls enclosing habitable or
occupiable rooms and spaces in which persons live, sleep or work; or
in which feed, food or foodstuffs are stored, prepared, processed,
served or sold shall be constructed rat and vermin-proof in accor-
dance with the provisions of this section.
872.1 GRADE PROTECTION.
8-52
872.11 APRON: When required for protection against rodents, all
exterior walls at and near grade shall be constructed or assembled
of component materials, or chemically or otherwise treated to render
the construction rat or vermin-proof. When not provided with a con-
tinuous masonry foundation wall, a masonry or reinforced concrete
apron, not less than four (4) inches in thickness or of other approv-
ed noncombustible, water-resisting and rat-proofing material of re-
quired strength, shall be installed around the entire perimeter of
the building.
872.12 HEIGHT OF APRON: The apron shall extend sufficiently above
grade to provide for the average snow fall in the locality, but not
less than eight (8) inches above, nor less than twenty-four (24)
inches below grade level; and, if serving as a foundation bearing
wall, to sufficiently greater depth to assure protection from frost
action as required in section 727. When the superstructure walls
are not constructed of masonry, the spaces between studs shall be
filled to a height of two (2) feet above grade with concrete or other
material indestructible by rats.
872.2 GRADE FLOORS: Where continuous concrete grade floor slabs are
provided, no open spaces shall be left between slab and walls, and
all openings in the slab shall be protected.
872.3 OPENING PROTECTION.
872.31 WALL OPENINGS: Openings in the apron required for ventila-
tion or other purposes shall be guarded with corrosion-resistive
rodent-proof shields of not less than No. 22 U.S. gage perforated
steel sheets, or No. 20 B & S gage aliuninum or No. 16 U.S. gage ex-
panded metal or wire mesh screens, with no more than one-half (h)
inch mesh openings.
872.32 SLAB OPENINGS: Access opening in grade floor slabs shall be
protected with concrete, masonry, metal or other corrosion-resistive
noncombustible covers of adequate strength to support the floor loads.
872.33 PIPES AND CONDUITS: All openings for pipe, conduit, cable
and similar purposes at or near grade shall have snugly-fitted col-
lars to eliminate all open spaces.
SECTION 873.0 PROTECTION AGAINST DECAY AND TERMITES
The expression "approval" as used in the following statements means
approval in accordance with the procedure established by the Basic
Code.
873.1 WHERE CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE TO DECAY.
873.11 WOOD IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND: All wood in contact with
the ground and supporting permanent structures shall be approved
treated wood.
8-53
873.12 UNTREATED WOOD: Untreated wood may be used where entirely
below ground water level or continuously submerged in fresh water
and may be used in contact with the ground for detached accessory
buildings not intended for human occupancy, for temporary structures
and for fences .
873.2 WOOD JOISTS OR THE BOTTOM OF WOOD STRUCTURAL FLOORS: When
wood joists or the bottom of wood structural floors without joists
are closer than eighteen (18) inches, or wood girders are closer than
twelve (12) inches, to exposed ground located within the periphery of
the building over crawl spaces or unexcavated areas , they shall be
approved durable or treated wood. Ventilation shall be provided as
required in section 508.0.
873.3 SILLS: All sills which rest on concrete or masonry exterior
walls and are less than six (6) inches from exposed earth shall be
of approved durable or treated wood.
873.31 SLEEPERS AND SILLS: Sleepers and sills on a concrete or
masonry slab which is in direct contact with earth shall be of ap-
proved durable or treated wood .
873.32 POSTS OR COLUMNS: Posts or columns in cellars shall be sup-
ported by piers projecting at least two (2) inches above the finish
floor and separated therefrom by an approved impervious barrier ex-
cept when approved durable or treated wood is used. Posts or columns
used in damp locations below grade shall be of approved durable or
treated wood.
873.33 WALL POCKETS: Ends of wood girders entering masonry or con-
crete walls shall be provided with a one-half (%) inch air space on
top, sides and end unless approved durable or treated wood is used.
873.34 CLEARANCE BETWEEN WOOD SIDING: Clearance between wood siding
and earth on the exterior of a building shall be not less than six (6)
inches .
873.4 WOOD USED IN A RETAINING WALL: Wood used in a retaining wall
shall be approved durable or treated wood except as follows :
a) when the wall is not more than two (2) feet in height and is
located on the property line.
b) when the wall is not more than four (4) feet in height and is
separated from the property line by a minimum distance equal
to the height of the wall .
c) a retaining wall of durable wood shall not exceed six (6) feet
in height . A wood retaining wall shall be separated from any
permanent building by a minimum distance equal to the height
of the wall .
8-54
873.5 WHERE APPROVED DURABLE OR TREATED WOODS ARE REQUIRED: Where
approved durable or treated woods are required in this Code, the
building official may require identification by an approved mark or
certificate of inspection.
873.6 PRESSURE TREATMENT: Where pressure treatment of wood members
is required by the Basic Code, preservatives and methods of treatment
shall conform to the standards for pressure treatment and preserving
of lumber listed in the reference standards of this article.
SECTION 874.0 FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRESTOPPING
To prevent the free passage of flame through concealed spaces or
openings in event of fire, provision shall be made to trim all com-
bustible framing away from sources of heat, to provide effective fire
barriers against the spread of fire between all subdivisions and all
stories of the building, to provide adequate fire separation against
exterior exposure, and to firestop all vertical and horizontal draft
openings as specified herein.
874.1 BEAM SEPARATION IN ORDINARY CONSTRUCTION (types 3-B and 3-C) :
All wood and other combustible floor, roof and other structural mem-
bers framing into masonry walls shall be cut to a bevel of three (3)
inches in the depth and shall project not more than four (4) inches
into the wall; and the distance between embedded ends of adjacent
beams or joists entering into the wall from opposite sides shall be
not less than four (4) inches.
874.2 GIRDER SEPARATION IN HEAVY TIMBER CONSTRUCTION (type 3-A) :
Wood girders framing into walls shall have at least (8) inches of
masonry between their ends and the outside face of walls and at
least eight (8) inches of masonry between adjacent beams entering
the wall from opposite sides. The girders shall be fire-cut, sup-
ported in pockets or in self-releasing metal boxes, or otherwise
supported to minimize destruction of the wall in the event of fire.
874.3 FLUES AND CHIMNEYS: Combustible framing shall be trimmed not
less than two (2) inches away from all flues, chimneys and fireplaces,
and six (6) inches away from flue openings.
874.4 FIREPLACES: Hearths of noncombustible construction and fire-
boards, mantels and other combustible trim shall comply with section
1012 governing fireplace construction.
874.5 CONCEALED ROOF SPACES: Concealed roof spaces enclosed by com-
bustible ceiling and roof construction shall be subdivided into areas
of not more than three thousand (3000) square feet as provided in
section 316.
8-55
874.6 EXTERIOR CORNICES: Exterior cornices where permitted of com-
bustible construction in section 926, or when erected with combustible
frames shall be f irestopped at maximum intervals of twenty (20) feet .
If noncontinuous, they shall have closed ends, with at least four (4)
inches separation between adjoining sections.
874.7 WALL FURRING: In masonry wall construction (types 3-A, 3-B,
and 3-C) and in frame construction (types 4-A and 4-B) where walls
are furred, the space between the inside of the furring and the face
of the wall for the full depth of the combustible floor or roof joists
shall be f irestopped.
874.8 COMBUSTIBLE TRIM AND FINISH: The space behind combustible
trim and finish where permitted under the Basic Code and all other
hollow spaces where permitted in f ireresistive construction shall be
back-filled with noncombustible materials or firestopped as required
in section 921.0.
874.9 FIRESTOPPING: Firestopping meeting the requirements of sec-
tion 921 shall be provided in stud walls and partitions at each floor
level and between the ceiling of the top story and roof space; in
all furred spaces of frame walls and studded off spaces of masonry
walls at maximum intervals of eight (8) feet; at the top and bottom
and at least once in the middle of each run of stairs ; in concealed
wall pockets for sliding doors; at openings for pipes, belts, shaft-
ing, chutes and conveyors passing through combustible floors or par-
titions with close-fitting noncombustible caps or metal shutters or
other approved noncombusitble means; and in all other locations that
would permit the free travel of flame .
SECTION 875.0 THERMAL INSULATING MATERIALS
Insulating batts, blankets, fills or similar types of materials,
including vapor barriers and breather papers or other coverings,
which are a part of the insulation, incorporated in construction
elements shall be installed and used in a manner that will not inc-
crease the fire hazard characteristics of the building or any part
thereof.
875.1 INSTALLATION IN TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 CONSTRUCTION: Such materi-
als when exposed as installed in building of fireproof or noncombust-
ible (types 1 or 2) construction shall qualify as noncombustible
materials when tested in accordance with section 904.
875.2 INSTALLATION IN TYPE 3 AND TYPE 4 CONSTRUCTION: Such materi-
als, when exposed as installed in attic spaces in buildings of ordin-
ary or frame (types 3 or 4) construction may be of noncombustible or
approved combustible material when tested in accordance with section
904.
8-56
875.3 FACINGS AND COVERINGS: Vapor barriers, breather papers or
other coverings of insulating materials, when installed adjacent to
or not more than one and one-half (1%) inches from the unexpected
surface of ceiling or sidewall interior finish, or when installed
in completely enclosed wall, ceiling joist or rafter spaces, fire-
stopped as required in section 874.0 are not required to have a
flameresistance rating.
8-57
AC I
AITC
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ASTM
ASTM
ASTM
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part A
318 1971 Building Code Requirements for Rein-
forced Concrete
103-65 1965 Standard for Structural Glued-Lamlna-
ted Timber
A 42.1 1964 Specifications for Gypsum Plastering
A 42.2 1971 Specifications for Portland Cement Stucco
A 42.3 1971 Specifications for Portland Cement Plastering
A 42.4 1967 Specifications for Interior Lathing and
Furring
A 42.5 1960 Standard Specifications for Lime-Cement
Stucco
A 97.1 1965 Specif cations for Gypsum Wallboard Finishes
A 108.5 1967 Tile, Ceramic, Installed in Dry-Set Port-
land Cement Mortar
A 118.1 1972 Standard Specifications for Dry-Set Port-
land Cement Mortar
A 118.3 1969 Standard Specifications for Epoxy, Chemical
Resistant, Water Cleanable Tile-Setting and
Grouting
Z 97.1 1972 United States Standard Performance Specifi-
cations and Methods of Test for Transparent
Safety Glazing Material Used in Buildings
1968 Specifications for Quicklime for Structural
Purposes
1968 Specifications for Normal Finishing Hydrated
Lime
Specifications for Natural Cement
Specifications for G3rpsum
Specifications for Gypsum Plasters
Specifications for Concrete Aggregates
Specifications for Structural Clay Load
Bearing Wall Tiles
1970 Specifications for Inorganic Aggregates for
Use in Gj^sum Plaster
C 5
C 6
ASTM
C 10
1970a
ASTM
C 22
1950
ASTM
C 28
1968
ASTM
C 33
1971a
ASTM
C 34
1970
C 35
8-58
ASTM
C 36
1970
ASTM
C 37
1969
ASTM
C 52
1972
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part A
1970,1973 Specifications for Gjrpsum Wallboard
Specifications for Gypsum Lath
Specifications for Gypsum Partition
Tile or Block
ASTM C 55 1971 Specifications for Concrete Building
Brick
ASTM C 56 1971 Specifications for Structural Clay
Non-Load Bearing Tile
ASTM C 57 1957 Specifications for Structural Clay
Floor Tile
ASTM C 61 1964 Specifications for Keene's Cement
ASTM C 62 1969 Specifications for Building Brick (Solid
Masonry Units Made From Clay or Shale)
ASTM C 73 1972 Specifications for Sand-lime Building
Brick
ASTM
C 79
1967
ASTM
C 90
1970
ASTM
C 91
1971
ASTM
C 94
1971
ASTM
C 126
1971
Specifications for G3rpsum Sheathing Board
Specifications for Hollow Load Bearing
Concrete Masonry Units
Specifications for Masonry Cement
1971,1972 Specifications for Ready-Mixed Concrete
Specifications for Ceramic Glazed Struc-
tural Clay Facing Tile, Facing Brick,
and Solid Masonry Units
ASTM C 129 1971 Specifications for Hollow Non-Load
Bearing Concrete Masonry Units
ASTM C 144 1970 Specifications for Aggregate for Masonry
Mortar
ASTM C 145 1971 Specifications for Solid Load Bearing
Concrete Masonry Units
ASTM C 150 1972 Specifications for Portland Cement
ASTM C 206 1968 Specifications for Special Finishing
Hydrated Lime
ASTM C 207 1968 Specifications for Hydrated Lime for
Masonry Purposes
8-59
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part A
ASTM C 208 1966
ASTM
ASTM
C 216 1971
C 270 1971
Specifications for Structural Insulating
Board Made From Vegetable Fibers
Specifications for Brick, Facing (Solid
Masonry Units Made From Clay of Shale)
Specifications for Mortar for Unit Mas-
onry (Tentative)
ASTM
C 330 1969
Specifications for Lightweight Aggregates
for Structural Concrete (Tentative)
ASTM
C 331 1969
Specifications for Lightweight Aggregates
for Concrete Masonry Units (tentative)
ASTM C 332 1966 Specifications for Lightweight Aggregates
for Insulating Concrete
ASTM C 476 1971 Specifications for Mortar and Grout for
Reinforced Masonry
ASTM C 595 1968 Specifications for Blended Hydraulic
Cements
ASTM
C 652 1970
Federal DD-G-00451b
Specifi- D.F. 2.5
cation
Specifications for Hollow Brick (Solid
Masonry Units Made from Clay or Shale)
Glass Thickness Specifications
USDC
CS 181 1952
U.S. Product
Standard PS-1
Adhesive-Water Resistant Organic, for
Installation of Clay Tile
Specifications for Plywood
Vermiculite
Institute
1963 Standard Specifications for Vermiculite
Plastering
8-60
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part A
1.0 GLASS DESIGN CRITERIA - The required nominal thickness of glass
shall be determined from the chart within this reference standard.
The modified design wind load to be used for entering the chart shall
be determined by dividing the appropriate general design wind load
of section 713.0 by the relative resistance value for the glass type
involved. For this purpose, the relative resistances to wind load
for equal thicknesses of glass shall be assumed as follows:
2.0 GLASS TYPE RELATIVE RESISTANCE
Regular Plate or Sheet 1.0
Laminated 0.6
Wired Glass 0.5
Heat Strengthened 2.0
Fully-Tempered 4.0
Rough-Rolled Plate 1.0
Sandblasted 0.4
Factory Fabricated Double Glazing
(Use only the thickness of
the thinner of the two lights) 1.5
8-61
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part B
ACI
ACI
ACI
AISC
AISI
ASTM
318
506
525
1971
1966
1963
1969
1968
AITC
PS 56-73
1973
AITC
200-73
1973
AA
1969
APA
1967
A 27
1971
ASTM
A 48
1971
ASTM
A 148
1971
ASTM
A 377
1966
ASTM
C 31
1966
ASTM
C 143
1966
ASTM
C 172
1968
ASTM
D 2277
1972
AWS
Dl.0-69
1969
NCMA
1971
Building Code Requirements for Rein-
forced Concrete
Recommended Practice for Shotcreting
Minimum Requirements for Thin-Section
Precast Concrete Construction
Specification for the Design, Fabrication,
and Erection of Structural Steel for
Buildings
Specification for the Design of Cold-
Formed Steel Structural Members
Structural Glued-Laminated Lumber
Inspection Manual
Aluminum Construction Manual
Design and Fabrication of Flat Plywood
Stressed Skin Panels
Specifications for Mi Id -To -Medium Strength
Carbon-Steel Castings for General Application
Specifications for Gray Iron Castings
Specifications for High-Strength Steel
Castings for Structural Purposes
Specifications for Cast Iron Pressure Pipe
Making and Curing Concrete Compression and
Flexure Test Specimens in the Field
Test for Slump of Portland Cement Concrete
Sampling Fresh Concrete
Specifications for Fiberboard Nail-Base
Sheathing (Tentative)
Code for Welding in Building Construction
Specification for the Design and Construction
of Load Bearing Concrete Masonry. Where con-
flict arises between this reference standard
and the Basic Code, the more stringent re-
quirements of the two shall apply.
8-62
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part B
NFoPA
1970
Maximum Spans for Joists and Rafters
in Residential Construction
NFoPA
NFoPA
BIA
SJI-AISC
SJI-AISC
1970 Wood Structural Design Data
1973 National Design Specification for Stress-
Grade Lumber and its Fastenings.
1969 Structural Clay Products Institute Rec-
ommended Building Code Requirements for
Engineered Brick Masonry. Where conflict
arises between this reference standard
and the Basic Code, the more stringent
requirements of the two shall apply.
1972 Standard Specifications and Load Tables
for Open Web Steel Joists, J-Series and
H-Series
1972 Standard Specifications and Load Tables
for Long-Span Steel Joists, LJ-Series
and LH-Series
ANSI A59.1 1954
USDC CS 31 1952
Specifications for Reinforced Gypsvmi
Concrete
Wood Shingles (Red Cedar, Tidewater, Red
Cjrpress and California Redwood)
8-63
AC I
Reference Standards - Article 8 Part C
525 1963
Minimum Requirements for Thln-Sectlon
Precast Concrete Construction
AWPA C 1 1972 Standard for the Preservative Treatment
of all Timber Products by Pressure
Processes
AWPA
AWPA
AWPA
AWPA
AWPA
AWPA
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
ANSI
C 2
C 3
C 4
C 9
M 2
M 4
1972
1972
1972
1972
1962
1962
A 94.1 1961
A 94.2 1961
A 94.3 1961
A 108.1 1967
A 108.2 1967
A 108.3 1967
A 108.5 1967
Standard for the Preservative Treatment
of Lumber, Timbers, Bridge Ties and Mine
Ties by Pressure Processes
Standard for the Preservative Treatment
of Piles by Pressure Processes
Standard for Preservative Treatment of
Poles by Pressure Processes
Standard for the Preservative Treatment
of Plywood by Pressure Processes
Standard Instructions for the Inspection
of Preservative Treatment of Wood
Standard for the Case of Pressure-Treated
Wood Products
Specifications for Interior Marble
Specifications for Thin Exterior Marble
Veneer (Two Inches and Less in Thiclcness)
Specifications for Thin Exterior Marble
in Curtain or Panel Walls
Specifications for (Including Requirements
of Related Divisions) Installation of
Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile in Cement Mortars
Specifications for (Including Requirements
of Related Divisions) Installation of
Ceramic Mosaic Tile in Cement Mortars
Specifications (Including Requirements of
Related Divisions) for Installation of
Quarry Tile and Pavers in Cement Mortars
Specifications for Installation of Ceramic
Tile with Dry-Set Portland Cement Mortar
8-64
Recommended Nailing Schedule
Building Element
Stud to sole plate
Stud to cap plate
Double studs
Corner studs
Sole plate to joist or
blocking
Double cap plate
Cap plate laps
Ribbon strip - 6" or less
Ribbon strip - 6" or more
Roof rafter to plate
Roof rafter to ridge
Jack rafter to hip
Floor joists to studs ....
(No ceiling joists) .
Floor joists to studs ....
(With ceiling joists)
Floor joists to sill or
girder 8d common
Ledger strip , 16d common
Ceiling joists to plate 16d common
Ceiling joists to parallel
rafters 16d common
Ceiling joists (laps over
partition) 16d common
Collar beam lOd common
Bridging to joists 8d common
Diagonal brace (to stud and
plate) 8d common
Tail beams to headers 20d common
(When failing permitted)
Header beams to trimmers .... 20d common
(When nailing permitted)
1" roof decking 8d common
(6" or less in width)
1" roof decking 8d common
(over 6" in width)
1" sub-flooring (6" or less) . . 8d common
1" sub-flooring (8" or more) . . 8d common
2" sub-flooring 16d common
1" wall sheathing (8" or less
in width) 8d common
Plywood roof and wall
sheathing 6d common
(1/2 or less
(5/8" or greater) 8d common
Nai]
L Size
Number and
and
type
location
8d
common
4
Toe-nail
16d
common
2
Toe-nail
lOd
common
12
"o.c. Direct
16d
common
24
"o.c. Direct
16d
common
16
"o.c.
16d
common
16
"o.c. Direct
16d
common
2
Direct
lOd
common
2
each Direct bearing
lOd
common
3
each Direct bearing
8d
common
3
Toe-nail
16d
common
2
Toe-nail
lOd
common
3
Toe-nail
lOd
common
5
Direct or
lOd
common
3
Direct
lOd
common
2
Direct
3 Toe-nail
3 each Direct joist
3 Toe-nail
3 Direct
3 Direct
3 Direct
2 each Direct end
2 each Direct bearing
1 each End
4 sq. ft. floor area
1 each End
8 sq. ft. floor area
2 each Direct rafter
3 each Direct rafter
2 each Direct joist
3 each Direct joist
2 each Direct joist
2 each Direct stud
6"o.c. Direct edges and
12 "o.c. intermediate
6"o.c. Direct edges and
12 "o.c. intermediate
8-65
Recommended Nailing Schedule
Building Element
Nail Size
and type
Number and
location
(5/16", 3/8" or 1/2")... 16 ga. galvanized 4"o.c. edges
wire staples, 3/8" and 8"o.c.
minimum crown; intermediate
length of 1" plus
plywood thickness
(5/8") Same as immedi- 2-l/2"o.c. edges
ately above and 5"o.c. inter-
mediate
Plywood subflooring:
(1/2") 6d common or 6"o.c. Direct
6d annular oredges and 10"o.c.
spiral thread intermediate
(5/8", 3/4") 8d common or 6"o.c. Direct
6d annular or edges and 10"o.c.
spiral thread intermediate
(1", 1-1/8") lOd common or 6"o.c. Direct
8d ring shank or edges and 6"o.c.
8d annular or intermediate
spiral thread
(1/2") 16 ga . galvanized 4"o .c . edges and
wire staples 7"o.c. intermediate
(5/8") 3/8" minimum 2-l/2"o.c. edges and
crown, 1-5/8" 4"o.c. intermediate
length
Built up girders and beams .. 20d common 32"o.c. Direct
Continuous header to stud ... 8d common 4 Toenail
Continuous header-two pieces. 16d common 16"o.c. Direct
1/2" Fiberboard sheathing ... 1-1/2" galvanized 3"o.c. exterior edge
roofing nail or 6"o.c. intermediate
6d common nail or
16 gage staple,
1-1/8" long with
minimum crown of
7/16"
25/32" Fiberboard sheathing.. 1-3/4" galvanized 3"o.c. exterior edge,
roofing nail or 6"o.c. intermediate
8d common nail or
16 gage staple,
1-1/2" long with
minimum crown of
7/16"
Gypsum sheathing 12 gage 1-1/4" 4"o.c. on edge,
large head 8"o.c. intermediate
corrosion-resistive
Shingles-wood No . 14 B&S 2 each bearing
corrosion-resistive
Weather boarding 8d corrosion- 2 each bearing
8-66
PLYWOOD ROOF SHEATHING
DOUGLAS FIR, WESTERN LARCH, SOUTHERN PINE
AND
GROUP 1 SHEATHING GRADES WESTERN SOFTWOOD PLYWOOD
Roof
Floor
Panel
Maximum Sp.
an
Identification
(Inches)
Load
(psf)
Index (2)
Maximiim
(roof span
Edges
Edges
Total
Live
Span (5)
"/floor span")
Blocked (3)
Unblocked
Load
Load
(Inches)
12/0
12
12
130
100
16/0
16
16
75
55
20/0
20
20
55
45
d
24/0
24(6)
24
60
45
30/12
30
26
55
40
12(7)
32/16
32
28
50(4)
40
16(8)
36/16
36
30
50(4)
35(4)
16(8)
42/20
42
32
45(4)
35(4)
20(8)
48/24
48
36
40(4)
40
24
1. These values apply for Structural I and II, Standard Sheathing
and C-C grades only. Spans shall be limited to values shown
because of possible effect of concentrated loads.
2. Identification index appears on all panels in the construction
grades listed in footnote (1) .
3. Edges may be blocked with lumber or other approved type of
edge support .
4. For roof live load of forty (40) psf or total load of fifty-five
(55) psf, decrease spans by thirteen (13) percent or use panel
with next greater identification index.
5. Plywood edges shall have approved tongue-and -groove joints or shall
be supported with blocking, unless one-fourth (1/4) inch minimum
thickness underlayment is installed, or finish floor is twenty-
five thirty-seconds (25/32) inch wood strip. Allowable uniform
load based on deflection of one three-sixtieth (1/360) of span is
one hundred (100) psf.
6. 1/2 inch Structural I, when continuous over one (1) support, may
be laid with face grain parallel to supports provided all panel
edges are blocked or other approved type edge support is provided,
the spacing of the supports does not exceed twenty-four (24) in-
ches on center, and the live load does not exceed thirty (30)
pounds per square foot. For other grades, a thickness of five-
eighths (5/8) is required.
7. May be sixteen (16) inches, if twenty-five thirty-seconds (25/32)
inch wood strip flooring is installed at right angles to joists.
8-67
8. May be twenty-four (24) inches if twenty-five thirty-seconds
(25/32) inch wood strip flooring is installed at right angles
to joists.
PLYWOOD COMBINATION SUBFLOOR-UNDERLAYMENT
ALLOWABLE SPAN FOR PLYWOOD COMBINATION
SUBFLOOR-UNDERLAYMENT (1)
Plywood Continuous over Two (2) or More Spans
and Face Grain Perpendicular to Supports
Species Groups Maximum Spacing of Joists (Inches)
16 20 24
1
1/2
5/8
3/4
2,3
5/8
3/4
7/8
4
3/4
7/8
1
1 - Applicable to Underlayment grade, C-C (Plugged) and all grades
of sanded exterior type plywood . Spans limited to values shown be-
cause of possible effect of concentrated loads. Allowable uniform
load based on deflection of 1/360 of span is 100 psf . Plywood edges
shall have approved tongue-and-groove joints or shall be supported
with blocking, unless one-fourth (1/4) inch minimum thickness under-
layment is installed, or finish floor is twenty-five thirty-seconds
(25/32) inch wood strip. If wood strips are perpendicular to supports,
thicknesses shown for sixteen (16) inch and twenty (20) inch spans
may be used on twenty-four (24) inch span.
8-68
ARTICLE 9
FIRERESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 900.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall govern the use and assembly
of all materials of construction with respect to f ireresistance ,
flame spread resistance, and smoke and toxic fume limitation. The
provisions shall also control the location and function of integral
structural and fire protective elements of building, and provide for
the installation of safeguards against the spread of fire within build-
ings and between buildings .
900.1 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: The requirements of this article shall
constitute the minimum functional performance standards for fire-pro-
tection purposes; and shall not be deemed to decrease or waive any
strength provisions or in any other manner decrease the requirements
of the Basic Code in respect to structural safety.
900.2 USE OF COMBUSTIBLES: All materials and forms of construction
that develop the f ireresistance required by this Code shall be accept-
able for fireproof ing and structural purposes; except that the use of
combustible component materials in structural units or structural as-
semblies shall be limited to type 3 and type 4 construction as follows:
900.21 COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS: Combustible aggregates may be incor-
porated in concrete mixtures approved for f ireresistive construction
as provided in section 811 and 848 for gypsum concrete, in section 843
for cinder concrete and any other approved component material or ad-
mixture may be used in assemblies that meet the f ireresistive test
requirements of the Basic Code; and wood nailing strips or any other
material of similar combustible characteristics may be embedded in
concrete and masonry construction for securing trim and finish.
900.22 FILLER UNITS: When not included in strength calculations,
filler units that contain component combustible materials may be used
in all fireresistive floor construction provided the complete assembly
meets the required fire test performance.
900.3 REINFORCED CONCRETE: All reinforced concrete mixtures which
meet the requirements of section 817 for concrete aggregates and the
provisions of this article for time-temperature performance shall be
accepted in fireresistive construction and shall be classified in ac-
cordance with the degree of f ireresistance required in article 2 and
in tables 2-5 and 2-6.
SECTION 901.0 DEFINITIONS
AUTOMATIC FIRE DOOR: a fire door or other opening protective so con-
structed and arranged so that if open, it shall close when subjected to:
9-1
a) a predetermined temperature, or
b) a predetermined rate of temperature rise, or
c) smoke or other products of combustion.
COMBUSTIBLE FIRE DAMPER: a damper arranged to seal off air flow auto-
matically through part of an air duct system, so as to restrict the
passage of heat. The fire damper may also be used as a smoke damper
if the location lends itself to the dual purpose.
COMBUSTIBLE (MATERIAL) : a combustible (material) is a material which
cannot be classified as noncombustible in accordance with that defi-
nition.
CONFLAGRATION HAZARD: the fire risk involved in the spread of fire by
exterior exposure to and from adjoining buildings and structures.
FIRE DAMPER: a damper arranged to seal off air flow automatically
through part of an air duct system, so as to restrict the passage
of heat. The fire damper may also be used as a smoke damper if
location lends itself to the dual purpose.
FIRE DIVISION: the interior means of separation of one part of a
floor area from another part together with f ireresistive floor con-
struction to form a complete barrier between adjoining or super-
imposed floor areas in the same building or structure.
FIRE DOOR: a door and its assembly, so constructed and assembled in
place as to give protection against the passage of fire.
FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY: the assembly of a fire door and its accessories,
including all hardware and closing devices and their anchors; and
the door frame, when required, and its anchors.
FIRE GRADING: the posted fire hazard classification of a building or
structure in hours or fractions of an hour as established for its
use group and occupancy in table 9-1.
FIRE HAZARD: the potential degree of fire severity existing in the
use and occupancy of a building and classified as high, moderate
or low;
-HIGH: all uses which involve the storage, sale, manufacture or
processing of highly combustible, volatile flammable or explosive
products which are likely to burn with extreme rapidity and pro-
duce large volumes of smoke, poisonous fumes, gases or explosions
in the event of fire.
-MODERATE : all uses which involve the storage , sale , manufacture
or processing of materials which are likely to burn with moderate
rapidity and a considerable volume of smoke, but which do not pro-
duce either poisonous fumes or explosions in the event of fire.
-LOW: all uses which involve the storage, sale or manufacture of
materials that do not ordinarily burn rapidly, nor produce excessive
smoke, poisonous fumes, or explosions in the event of fire.
9-2
FIRE PARTITION: a partition which subdivides a story of a building
to provide an area of refuge or to restrict the spread of fire.
FIRE PREVENTION: the preventive measures which provide for the safe
conduct and operation of hazardous processes, storage of highly
combustible and flammable materials, conduct of fire drills, and
the maintenance of fire detecting and fire-extinguishing service
equipment and good housekeeping conditions.
FIRE PROTECTION: the provision of safeguards in construction and of
exit facilities; and the installation of fire alarm, fire-detecting
and fire-extinguishing service equipment to reduce the fire risk
and the conflagration hazard.
FIRERESISTANCE: that property of materials or their assemblies which
prevents or retards the passage of excessive heat, hot gases or
flames under conditions of use.
FIRERESISTANCE RATING: the time in hours or fractions thereof that
materials or their assemblies will resist fire exposure as deter-
mined by fire tests conducted in compliance with recognized stan-
dards.
FIRERESISTIVE PARTITION: a partition other than a fire partition which
is required to subdivide the floor area of a f ireresistive building
for the purpose of restricting the spread of fire.
FIRERETARDANT CONSTRUCTION: fabricated units or assemblies of units
of construction which have a f ireresistance rating of not less than
one-third (1/3) hour.
FIRERETARDANT LUMBER: wood so treated by a recognized impregnation
process as to reduce its combustibility.
FIRE SAFETY: the measure of protection of a building or structure
against interior and exposure fire hazards through f ireresistive
construction and the provision of safe exitways and fire-detecting
and extinguishing equipment.
FIRE SEPARATION (EXTERIOR FIRE EXPOSURE) : the distance in feet mea-
sured from any other building on the site, or from an interior lot
line, or from the opposite side of a street or other public space
to the building.
FIRE WALL: a wall having adequate f ireresistance and structural sta-
bility under fire conditions to accomplish the purpose of completely
subdividing a building or of completely separating adjoining build-
ings to resist the spread of fire.
FIRE WINDOW: a window constructed and glazed to give protection
against the passage of fire.
9-3
FLAMERESISTANCE: the property of materials or combinations of com-
ponent materials which resists the spread of flame as determined
by the f lameresistance tests specified in the Basic Code.
FLAME SPREAD: the propagation of flame over a surface.
FLAME SPREAD RATING: the measurement of flame spread on the surface
of materials or their assemblies as determined by tests conducted
in compliance with recognized standards.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE : (INCOMBUSTIBLE) This is a general, relative term.
Its precise meaning is defined in the Basic Code for specific ap-
plications.
PARTY WALL: a fire wall, used or adapted for joint service between
two buildings, which may fall on an interior lot line or which may
be used to separate adjoining one and/or two-family dwellings on
the same lot.
SELF-CLOSING: a fire door or other opening protective which is nor-
mally closed and equipped with an approved device to insure closing
after having been opened for use.
SHAFT: a vertical opening or passage through two or more floors of a
building or through floors and roof .
-COVERED: an interior enclosed space extending through one (1) or
more stories of a building, connecting a series of two (2) or more
openings in successive floors, or floors and roof, and covered at
the top.
-OPEN: an exterior, enclosed space extending through one or more
stories of a building, enclosed with walls of the required weather
and f ireresistance for exterior walls, and open to the sky at the
top.
STANDARD FIRE TEST: the standard controlled furnace test formulated
under the procedure of the American Society for Testing Materials
and designated ASTM E119 as listed in the reference standards of
this article.
SECTION 902.0 FIRE HAZARD CLASSIFICATION
The degree of fire hazard of buildings and structures for each spe-
cific use group as defined by the fire grading in Table 9-1 shall de-
termine the requirements for fire walls, fire divisions and the segre-
gation of mixed uses as prescribed in section 213 and all structural
members supporting such elements, unless otherwise provided in this
Code.
9-4
902.1 UNCLASSIFIED USES: The building official shall determine the
fire hazard classification of a building or structure designed for a
use not specifically provided in table 9-1 in accordance with the fire
characteristics and potential fire hazard of the use group which it
most nearly resembles; or its designation shall be fixed by the ap-
proved rules .
SECTION 903.0 FIRERESISTANCE TESTS
All fire tests of building materials and construction shall be con-
ducted in accordance with the standard fire test procedure; except
that the hosestream test therein prescribed for one (1) hour construc-
tion shall be required for all assemblies and constructions approved
for a fireresistance rating of three-quarter (3/4) hours.
TABLE 9-1 - FIRE GRADING OF USE GROUPS
Fire grading
Class Use Group in hours
A High hazard 4
B-1 Storage - Moderate hazard 3
B-2 Storage - Low hazard 2
C Mercantile 3
D Industrial 3
E Business 2
F-1 Assembly - Theatres 3
F-2 Assembly - Night Clubs 3
F-3 Assembly - Recreation centers, lecture
halls, terminals, restaurants 2
F-4 Assembly - Churches, schools 1%
H-1 Institutional - Restrained occupants 3
H-2 Institutional - Incapacitated occupants 2
L-1 Residential - Hotels 2
L-2 Residential - Multi-family dwellings Ih
L-3 Residential - 1 and 2 family dwellings 3/4
903.1 STRUCTURAL BUILDING ASSEMBLIES: Built-up masonry units and com-
posite assemblies of structural materials including walls, partitions,
columns, girders, beams and slabs and assemblies of slabs and beams or
other combinations of structural units for use in floor and roof con-
struction shall be regulated by the fireresistance ratings of table 2-5.
All floor and ceiling assemblies shall extend to and be tight against
the exterior wall. Approved firestopping providing equivalent fire-
resistance shall be used to close off any separation between the floor
and exterior wall .
903.2 COLUMN, BEAM AND GIRDER PROTECTION: To evaluate column, beam
and girder protection for structural units when the fireproofing is not
a structural part of the element, in lieu of full size tests of loaded
9-5
specimens, the structural sections encased in the material proposed
for use as insulation and fire protection may be subjected to the
standard test procedure without load.
903.3 ROOF COVERINGS.
903.31 SIZE OF SPECIMEN: Roof coverings shall be tested in a complete
assembly of roof deck and roof covering constructed and applied as in
practice with a panel area of not less than twelve (12) square feet and
no dimension less than thirty-two (32) inches.
903.32 TEST PROCEDURE: The tests shall be conducted to determine
ability to resist ignition, duration of flaming and susceptibility
to fire spread.
903.4 CLASSIFICATION OF ROOF COVERINGS: Roof coverings shall be clas-
sified as A, B or C on the basis of their resistance to exterior fire
exposure as listed or tested in accordance with reference standard of
this article.
903.41 CLASS A ROOFINGS shall be effective against severe fire exposure
and shall be permitted for use on fireproof (type 1) , noncombustible
(type 2) and heavy timber mill (type 3-A) buildings and structures;
903.42 CLASS B ROOFINGS shall be effective against moderate fire ex-
posure and shall be permitted as the minimum for use on fireproof
(type 1) buildings and structures;
904.43 CLASS C ROOFINGS shall be effective against light fire exposure
and shall be permitted as the minimum for use on noncombustible (type
2) , masonry enclosed (type 3) and protected frame (type 4-A) buildings
and structures;
903.44 NON-RATED ROOFINGS shall be limited to use in areas outside
of the fire limits where the exterior fire exposure hazard is reduced
by required fire separations as provided in section 928.3 and on
frame (type 4-B) construction.
903.5 OPENING PROTECTIVES .
903.51 STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: Opening protectives, including frames,
self-closing devices, and hardware, shall be classfied as to fire-
protection rating and shall be installed , maintained and operated in
accordance with the provisions of the reference standards of this
article. All opening protectives shall bear the identification of
an approved testing laboratory or agency certifying to the perfor-
mance rating thereof.
903.52 SMOKE AND FLAME BARRIER: Tests of door and window assemblies
shall be considered unsuccessful unless the assembly prevents the
passage of smoke or flames in considerable volume and remains se-
curely in the opening during the fire exposure and following the
hose stream test.
9-6
903.53 LABELED FIRE DOORS: Opening protective assemblies including
the frames, hardware and operation which comply with the standards
and accepted practice, including shop inspection, of approved test-
ing authorities shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the
Basic Code for their recommended and approved locations and use as
listed in section 917.
903.54 DOOR OPENINGS MORE THAN 120 SQUARE FEET: Labeled fire doors
for openings which are more than one hundred and twenty (120) square
feet in area may be approved as conforming to all the standard con-
struction requirements of tested and approved fire door assemblies
except as to size.
903.55 LABELED FIRE WINDOWS AND SHUTTERS: Fire window assemblies
and shutters which comply with Section 918 and the standards and ac-
cepted practice of approved testing agencies shall be deemed to meet
the requirements for their recommended and required locations under
the Basic Code.
903.56 LABELED FIRE DAMPERS: Only fire dampers which have been tested,
listed and labeled by an approved testing agency shall be deemed to
meet the requirement of this Code for the recommended locations and
use as listed in section 1810.1.
903.6 COMBUSTIBILITY TESTS: Where the behavior of materials under
exposure to fire is specified in the Basic Code the characteristics of
materials shall be determined by the following tests and criteria:
903.61 NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS: A noncombustible material is one
which, in the form in which it is used, meets any of the following
requirements :
a) materials which pass the test procedure for defining non-
combustibility of elementary materials listed in the ref-
erence standards of this article when exposed to a furnace
temperature of thirteen hundred eighty-two (1382) degrees
F. for a period of five (5) minutes, and do not cause a
temperature rise of the surface or interior thermocouples
in excess of fifty-four (54) degrees F. above the furnace
air temperature at the beginning of the test and which do
not flame after an exposure of thirty (30) seconds.
b) materials having a structural base of noncombustible material
as defined in paragraph 1, with a surfacing not more than
one-eighth (1/8) inch thick which has a flamespread rating
not greater than fifty (50) when tested in accordance with
the method of test for surface burning characteristics of
building materials listed in the reference standards of
this article.
c) materials other than defined in paragraphs 1 and 2, having a
flamespread rating not greater than twenty-five (25) without
evidence of continued progressive combustion, and of such
composition that surfaces that would be exposed by cutting
9-7
through the material in any way would not have a flamespread
rating greater than twenty-five (25) when tested in accordance
with the method of test for surface burning characteristics
of building materials listed in the reference standards of
this article.
903.62 FIRE-RETARDANT TREATED WOOD TESTS: Where permitted for use
as a structural element, Fire-Retardant Treated Wood shall be tested
in accordance with the standard method of test for surface burning
characteristics of building materials (tunnel test) listed in the
reference standards of this article, and shall show a flame spread
rating not greater than twenty-five (25) when exposed for a period
of not less than thirty (30) minutes, with no evidence of signifi-
cant progressive combustion. The material shall bear the identifi-
cation of an accredited authoritative testing agency showing the per-
formance rating thereof.
903.7 FIRERETARDANT TREATED WOOD: Wood that has been pressure-treated
with fireretardant chemicals in accordance with the reference standards
of this article may be used in type 1 and 2 constructions for non-
bearing partitions, structural elements, roof framing and sheathing
as indicated by note (h) of table 2-5 provided that the assembly in
which such material is used shall produce the required f ireresistance
when tested in accordance with the reference standards of this article.
903.71 LIMITATIONS: Fireretardant treated wood may not be used where
exposed to the weather or in interior spaces where the relative humid-
ity is normally eighty (80) percent or more. There shall be no fabri-
cation of the material after treatment, such as cutting, shaping or
grooving for splines or ring connectors so as to expose untreated sur-
faces, except that the material may be cut to length, shaped, or grooved
if the exposed surfaces or edges are tightly butted against other mater-
ial that is noncombustible or that is fireretardant treated, so that no
untreated wood is left exposed to danger of ignition. Holes may be
bored or cut for plumbing or heating pipes and for electric outlets
only if the openings are covered with tightly fitted noncombustible
escutcheons or cover plates. The allowable working stresses of the
material shall be ninety (90) percent of the allowable stresses for
untreated lumber of like classification.
SECTION 904.0 FLAMERESISTANCE TESTS
All materials which are required to restrict the spread of flame or
to be flameresistant under the provisions of the Basic Code, including
but not limited to interior finish materials, fireretardant treated
wood, tents and tarpaulins, and interior hangings and decorations, shall
meet the requirements for their respective use and classifications as
determined by the applicable test procedures listed in the reference
standards of this article.
904.1 INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS: All materials used for interior
finish shall be classified within the classifications listed in table
9-2. Interior finish materials shall be tested in accordance with
9-8
one of the methods of test for surface burning characteristics of
building materials in the reference standards of this article. For
class D material, the flame from the test specimen shall not reach
the angle frame at any point in five (5) minutes or less when tested
under the federal specification.
TABLE 9-2 - FLAME-SPREAD RA.TING
Surface Burning
Class Federal specification Characteristics Test
of material test (Tunnel test)
I A to 25
II B or C 26 to 75
III D (5 min. limit) 76 to 200
IV Note a 201 to 500
904.2 INTERIOR HANGINGS AND DECORATIONS: Refer to Chapter 148 of
the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for buildings
subject to those regulations.
904.21 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA: Where required to be f lameresistive
under the provisions of the Basic Code, all materials specified or
required for artistic enhancement or use for decorations, draperies,
curtains, scenery and hangings shall comply with this section for
noncombustible or fireretardant materials; or if treated to be flame-
resistant shall not generate smoke or gases more than those given off
by untreated wood or paper burning under comparable conditions when
tested in the vertical flame test listed in the reference standards
of this article.
SECTION 905.0 SPECIAL FIRERESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS
In buildings or parts thereof of the occupancies and types of con-
struction herein specified, the general f ireresistive requirements
of table 2-5 and the height and area limitations of table 2-6 shall
be subject to the following exceptions and modifications, and to
Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, Board of Fire Prevention
Regulations FPR-4.
905.1 PUBLIC GARAGES: All existing buildings and structures altered
or converted for use to a garage, motor vehicle repair shop or gaso-
line service station, more than one (1) story in height, unless of
fireproof (type 1) construction, or heavy timber (type 3-A) construc-
tion, shall have the partitions, columns and girders and all floor
and roof construction protected and insulated with noncombustible
materials or assemblies of component materials having a f ireresistance
rating of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hours; except that exis-
ting roof trusses shall be exempt from all fireproofing requirements.
9-9
905.2 OPEN PARKING STRUCTURES.
905.21 HEIGHTS AND AREAS: Heights and areas of open parking structures
shall not exceed the limits in the following table:
HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITATION FOR OPEN PARKING STRUCTURES
Type of Height Area
Construction
1-A, I-B, 2-A Unlimited Unlimited
2-B 100' ~ Unlimited
2-C 75' Unlimited
The area of structures wherein more than twenty-five (25) percent of
the perimeter has frontage on street or other open space leading to a
street each of which is not less than thirty (30) feet wide may be
installed in accordance with section 308.1 in types 2-B and 2-C construc-
tion, the area may be unlimited. The above limits of height permit
parking on the roof.
905.3 PETROLEUM BULK STORAGE BUILDINGS: Warehouses for the bulk
storage of not more than fifty thousand (50,000) gallons of lubricating
oils with a flash point of not less than three hundred (300) degrees F.
in approved sealed containers may be erected outside the fire limits
of masonry wall (type 3) construction not more than five thousand
(5000) square feet in area and not more than one (1) story or twenty
(20) feet in height; or to proportionate areas in other types of
construction as regulated by table 2-6. Not more than one motor vehicle
may be stored in such buildings unless separately enclosed with a fire
division of two (2) hours f ireresistance.
905.4 PACKING AND SHIPPING ROOMS: Every packing or shipping room
located on or below a floor occupied for mercantile uses shall be
separated therefrom by fire divisions of not less than the f ireresistance
of the type of construction of the building but in no case less than
three-quarter (3/4) hours f ireresistance.
905.5 TRUCK LOADING AND SHIPPING AREAS: Truck loading and shipping
areas shall be permitted within any business building provided such
areas are enclosed in construction of not less than the f ireresistance
of the type of construction of the building but in no case less than
three-quarter (3/4) hours; and direct access is provided therefrom to
the street. Where applicable, conformance with Department of Public
Safety, Board of Fire Prevention Regulations FPR-4 and 11 is required.
905.6 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
9-10
905.61 PROTECTED ORDINARY CONSTRUCTION: Multi-family dwellings (use
group L-2) of protected ordinary (type 3-B) construction may be in-
creased to six (6) stories or seventy-five (75) feet in height when
the first floor above the basement or cellar is constructed of not
less than three (3) hour f ireresistive construction, the floor area
is subdivided by two (2) hour fire walls into fire areas of not more
than three thousand (3000) square feet, and the common exitway, public
hallways and exitways are enclosed in two (2) hour f ireresistive con-
struction.
905.62 PROTECTED NONCOMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: When of three-quarter
(3/4) hour protected noncombustible (type 2-B) construction, multi-
family dwellings (use group L-2) may be increased to nine (9) stories
or one hundred (100) feet in height when separated not less than fifty
(50) feet from any other building on the lot and from interior lot
lines, the exitways are segregated in a fire area enclosed in a contin-
uous fire wall of two (2) hour f ireresistance and the first floor is
not less than one and one half (l^s) hours f ireresistive construction.
905.63 RETAIL BUSINESS USE: The first floor of buildings of unprotec-
ted noncombustible (type 2-C) , masonry wall (type 3-C) or frame (type
4-B) construction may be occupied for retail store use, provided the
ceilings and enclosure walls are protected to afford three-quarter
(3/4) hour f ireresistance and the exitways from the residence floors
are separately enclosed in accordance with the requirements of sec-
tion 909.5 and article 6.
905.7 GRADE FLOOR PROTECTION.
905.71 NON-FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION: In all buildings other than one-
and two-family dwellings (use group L-3) and other than fireproof
(types 1-A and 1-B) construction with habitable or occupiable stories
or basements below grade, the ceilings, partitions and supports below
the grade floor shall be protected with noncombustible materials or
assemblies of component materials having a f ireresistance rating of
not less than three-quarter (3/4) hours or shall be of heavy mill
(type 3-A) construction, or shall be equipped with automatic sprink-
lers; but in no case less than the required f ireresistance of the use
group and type of construction required by tables 2-5 and 2-6.
905.72 PROTECTED NONCOMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: In all buildings of
one and one-half (1%) hour protected noncombustible (type 2-A) con-
struction, more than four (4) stories or fifty (50) feet in height,
in other than residential use groups, the floor above the basement
or cellar shall be constructed with a f ireresistance of not less than
two (2) hours.
905.73 ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS: One- and two-family dwellings
(use group L-3) , not more than two (2) stories and attic or thirty-
five (35) feet in height, shall be exempt from the requirements of
this section.
9-11
905.74 BASEMENT ASSEMBLY USES: No dance hall, skating rink or simi-
lar places of public assembly for amusement, entertainment, instruction,
or service of food or refreshment shall be located in stories or rooms
below grade unless the floor construction above and below is of not
less than one and one-half (Ih) hour f ireresistance.
SECTION 906.0 ENCLOSURE WALLS
All exterior masonry and other enclosure walls shall comply with
the structural provisions of articles 7 and 8 and with the fireresis-
tance requirements of table 2-5 as regulated by the location and type
of construction.
906.1 EXCEPTIONS: The provisions of the Basic Code shall not be deemed
to prohibit the omission of enclosure walls for all or part of a story
when required for special uses and occupancies; except that when so
omitted, the open areas shall be separated from the rest of the area
and from the upper and lower stories of the building by wall and floor
construction of the f ireresistance required in table 2-5; and except
as otherwise specifically permitted in the Basic Code, the piers, col-
umns and other structural supports within the open portion shall be
constructed with the f ireresistance required for exterior bearing
walls in table 2-5.
906.2 FIRE CANOPIES: All fire canopies required by section 918.51
shall be. constructed of noncombustible materials extending out at least
two (2) feet horizontally from the wall and at least as long as the
width of the lower opening and constructed to provide a f ireresistance
rating required for the exterior wall.
906.3 PARAPETS. - Parapets shall be provided on all exterior walls
of buildings of construction types 3A, 3B, 3C that have roof construc-
tion of combustible materials, shall be at least two (2) feet high,
shall be of materials and assembly having at least the f ireresistance
rating of the wall below and shall otherwise conform to the require-
ments of section 867.0. Exceptions where parapets need not be pro-
vided on the exterior walls shall be made for the following buildings:
906.31 One (1) story buildings less than twenty-two (22) feet high;
or
906.32 A building whose roof has a pitch of more than twenty (20)
degrees to the horizontal and whose overhang, fascia, cornice or gut-
ter is of noncombustible construction, or if of combustible construc-
tion, is separated from the roof and ceiling construction by construc-
tion having the f ireresistance rating required for the exterior wall
of the building. Combustible members, including roof sheathing, shall
not extend through this construction, but shall have at least four (4)
inches of solid noncombustible material below, at the sides, and at
the ends of such members; or
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906.33 A building is provided with a fire canopy, or not more than
two (2) feet below the roof level, continuous around that portion of
the wall that is without a parapet, constructed as required by sec-
tion 906.3; or
906.34 A building whose roof has a class A roof covering, and any
overhangs, cornices, or gutters are constructed as required by sec-
tion 906.32 above.
SECTION 907.0 FIRE WALLS AND PARTY WALLS
Fire walls, party walls and other fire division walls shall be con-
structed of noncombustible materials or form of construction of the
required strength and f ireresistance rating specified in table 2-5
for the type of construction but not less than the fire grading of
the use group in table 9-1. The construction shall comply with all
the structural provisions for bearing and non-bearing walls of this
Code.
907.1 SOLID BRICK: In other than frame buildings, when constructed
of solid brick masonry, the wall thickness shall conform to the re-
quirements of section 867.0; except that in all buildings more than
twenty-five (25) feet in height used for moderate hazard storage
(use group B-1) and all high hazard uses (use group A) , no part of an
unplastered masonry fire wall shall be less than twelve (12) inches
thick.
907.2 REINFORCED CONCRETE: When constructed of reinforced concrete,
the wall thickness shall be not less than six (6) inches for the upper-
most twenty-five (25) feet or portion thereof measured down from the
top of the wall; except that in buildings more than twenty-five (25)
feet in height used for storage of moderate fire hazard (use group B-1)
and high hazard (use group A) , no part of an unplastered reinforced
concrete fire wall shall be less than eight (8) inches thick.
907.3 FRAME DWELLINGS: In one- and two-family dwellings (use group
L-3) , of frame (type 4) construction, party walls shall be not less
than three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistive construction and shall
extend through intersecting walls of frame construction to the out-
side of all combustible wall and roof sheathing.
907.4 OTHER FRAME BUILDINGS: In frame buildings, in use groups other
than one- and two-family dwellings, all party and fire walls shall be
not less than two (2) hour f ireresistive construction, but in no case
less than the equivalent fire grading of the use group as specified
in table 9-1.
907.5 CUTTING FIRE WALLS: Chases or recesses shall not be cut into
fire divisions so as to reduce their thickness below that required for
all f ireresistance rating, except that no chases, recesses or pockets
for insertion of structural members subsequent to erection shall be
cut in walls of eight (8) inches or less in thickness.
9-13
907.6 HOLLOW FIRE WALLS: When combustible members frame into hol-
low fire walls or fire walls of hollow units, all hollow spaces
shall be solidly filled for the full thickness of the wall and for
a distance of not less than four (4) inches above, below and be-
tween the structural members, with noncombustible materials approv-
ed for firestopping in section 921.
907.7 COMBUSTIBLE INSULATION: The building official may permit
the application of cork or fiber board or other combustible insula-
tion if laid up without intervening air spaces and cemented or
attached directly to the face of the fire wall and protected on the
exposed surface as provided in section 824.
907.8 CONTINUITY OF FIRE WALLS AND FIRE DIVISIONS: Fire walls and
other vertical fire divisions shall be continuous between foundation
roof, or horizontal fire divisions and through any concealed space
in floor or roof construction. Horizontal fire divisions shall be
continuous between exterior walls and/or vertical fire divisions.
907.81 When roof construction is combustible on both sides of a
vertical fire division, the division shall extend through the roof
construction to a height of at least four (4) inches above the high
point at the roof framing. Decking shall tightly butt the fire di-
vision. Above the decking of roofs that are flatter than twenty
(20) degrees to the horizontal blocking shall be constructed to
form cants on both sides of the fire division with slopes not steep-
er than 1:4. Combustible decking shall not extend over the top of
the fire division.
907.82 Except as required in 907.83 below, when roof construction
is noncombustible on one (1) or both sides of a vertical fire di-
vision, the vertical fire division may terminate at the underside
of the noncombustible roof construction provided the junction of
the wall and roof construction is made smoke tight.
907.83 When a vertical fire division is required by table 9-1 to
have a f ireresistance rating of three (3) hours or greater, and the roof
construction has a fireresistance rating of less than two (2) hours, the
fire division shall extend above the roof construction to form a
parapet at least three (3) feet high.
907.84 Fire walls and fire divisions shall be so constructed that the
removal or collapse of construction on one side will not endanger the
support of construction on the other side.
907.85 Fire walls and fire divisions shall be made smoke-tight at
their junction with exterior walls.
907.9 OFFSET FIRE WALLS: If fire walls are offset at intermediate
floor levels in fire-protected skeleton frame construction, the off-
set floor construction and the intermediate wall supports shall be
constructed of noncombustible materials with a fireresistance rating
not less than that required for the fire wall.
907.10 ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS: The requirements for the
means of separation of single-family dwellings or two-family dwell-
ings are as follows:
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a) TWO-FAMILY DWELLING: Superimposed dwelling units - when one
dwelling unit of a two-family dwelling is located wholly or
partly above the other dwelling unit, the two dwelling units
shall be completely separated by fire division walls and floor-
ceiling assemblies of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hour
f ireresistive construction.
b) TWO-FAMILY DWELLING: Side by side dwelling units - when ad-
jacent dwelling units of a two-family dwelling are attached
by a common wall , said wall shall be a fire division wall hav-
ing a minimum of three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance rat-
ing that shall serve to completely separate the dwelling units.
c) MULTIPLE, SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS: Side by side - when multi-
ple, single-family dwellings (use group L-3) are attached by
a common wall, said wall shall be a party wall, having a mini-
mum three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance rating. Said wall
shall extend from the foundation to the underside of the roof
sheathing and to the inside of the exterior wall sheathing.
d) MULTIPLE, TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS: Side by side - when multiple,
two-family dwellings (use group L-3) are attached by a common
wall, said wall shall be a party wall, having a minimum three-
quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance rating. Said wall shall ex-
tend from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheath-
ing and to the inside of the exterior wall sheathing.
SECTION 908.0 FIRE WALL OPENINGS
Openings in fire walls shall not exceed the limits in size and area
herein prescribed and the opening protectives shall conform to the
provisions of sections 903, 904 and 917.
908.1 SIZE OF OPENING: Except in sprinklered buildings, no open-
ing through a fire wall shall exceed one hundred and twenty (120)
square feet in area, and aggregate width of all openings at any
floor level shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the length
of the wall .
908.2 FIRST STORY EXCEPTIONS: In buildings of all types of con-
struction, when the entire areas on both sides of a fire wall are
protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system complying with
article 12 , openings designed for the passage of trucks may be con-
structed not more than two hundred and forty (240) square feet in
area with a minimum distance of three (3) feet between adjoining
openings. Such openings shall be protected with approved automatic
opening protectives of three (3) hour fire resistance and provided
with an approved water curtain for such openings in addition to all
other requirements.
9-15
908.3 OPENING PROTECTIVES : Every opening in a fire wall shall be
protected on both sides with an approved automatic protective as-
sembly as herein required , or the approved labeled equivalent , ex-
cept horizontal exit openings .
Heat-actuated hold-open devices used on an automatic fire assembly
providing three (3) hour f ireresistance rating shall be installed,
one on each side of the wall at ceiling height where the ceiling is
more than three (3) feet above the opening.
Fire assemblies protecting openings required to have one and one-
half (Ih) , one (1) or three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance shall
be protected in a similar manner or by a single fusible link incor-
porated in the closing device.
SECTION 909.0 FIRE PARTITIONS
909.1 CONSTRUCTION: Fire partitions required for the enclosure of
exitways and areas of refuge shall be constructed of approved masonry,
reinforced concrete or other approved noncombustible materials having
the minimum f ireresistance prescribed by table 2-5; except that par-
titions constructed of combustible materials to provide the required
f ireresistance may be accepted for use in exitways of building of
t3rpes 3 and 4 construction as regulated by table 2-5 and the provi-
sions of section 618.9.
909.2 BEARING PARTITIONS: When fire partitions are used as bearing
walls, they shall comply with all the structural provisions of arti-
cle 8, governing height and thickness.
909.3 CONTINUITY: When fire partitions around vertical shafts are
not continuous from floor to floor, the offset in the floor construc-
tion shall be of construction with a f ireresistance rating not less
than that of the partition construction, nor less than that of the
fire grading defined in table 9-1 for the specific use group.
909.4 OPENINGS.
909.41 SIZE: No other openings shall be permitted in fire partitions
except exitway doors, and the aggregate permissible width of such door-
ways shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the length of the
wall , nor shall the maximum area of any individual opening exceed
forty-eight (48) square feet.
909.42 PROTECTIVES: All opening protectives in fire partitions in
other than one- and two-family dwellings shall comply with the pro-
visions of sections 903 and 918 for construction, except as provided
in table 6-6 for buildings not more than three (3) stories in height.
909.5 COMBUSTIBLE STAIR ENCLOSURES.
9-16
909.51 CONSTRUCTION: Stair enclosures constructed of approved com-
bustible assemblies protected with component materials to afford the
required f ireresistance ratings shall be continuous through combust-
ible floor construction and shall provide an unbroken fire barrier
in combination with protected floors, ceilings, and fire doors, sep-
arating the exitways from the unprotected floors, ceilings and fire
doors, separating the exitways from the unprotected areas of the
building. Such enclosures shall be firestopped to comply with sec-
tions 874.9 and 921.
909.52 OPENINGS FOR LIGHTING: Openings for the purpose of provid-
ing light in such enclosures may be protected with wired glass with
single panes not more than three hundred and sixty (360) square inches
in area and a total area in one story of not more than seven hundred
and twenty (720) square inches. Such light panels shall comply with
the provisions of section 919 and shall be contained in stationary
sash and frames of steel or other approved noncombustible materials.
SECTION 910.0 FIRERESISTIVE PARTITIONS
910.1 CONSTRUCTION: All permanent partitions designated as fire-
resistive for subdividing purposes other than providing required
areas of refuge shall be constructed of noncombustible materials
when designed for use in buildings and structures of fireproof or
noncombustible (types 1 and 2) construction, except as provided in
section 910.4.
910.2 SUPPORTS: All f ireresistive partitions shall extend from the
top of the fireresistive floor below to the f ireresistive ceiling
above, and shall be securely attached thereto. They shall be sup-
ported on fireproof ed steel or reinforced concrete construction;
except that the supporting beams and girders of fireresistive parti-
tions constructed of combustible materials shall be protected with
component materials or assemblies to afford the required fireresis-
tance of the partitions supported. All hollow vertical spaces shall
be firestopped at every floor level as required in sections 874.0
and 921.
910.3 OPENINGS: Door openings shall not exceed one hundred and
twenty (120) square feet in area and where required to be fire pro-
tected, they shall comply with the provisions of sections 903.0 and
917.
910.4 EXCEPTIONS.
910.41 NONFIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION: In buildings and structures of
masonry enclosed (type 3) and frame (type 4) construction, protected
wood studs or other combustible assemblies constructed with component
materials to afford the required f ireresistance specified in table
2-5 shall be approved for enclosures of exitways where permitted in
table 6-6 and for all nonbearing partitions.
9-17
910.43 FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION: In all buildings and structures or
other than institutional (use group H) and residential (use groups
L-1 and L-2) of fireproof (type 1) or of protected noncombustible
(type 2) constructions, partitions of a single thickness of wood or
approved composite panels, and glass or other approved materials of
similar combustible characteristics, may be used to subdivide rooms
or spaces into offices, entries, or other similar compartments, pro-
vided they do not establish a common corridor serving an occupant
load of fifty (50) or more in areas occupied by a single tenant and
not exceeding five thousand (5,000) square feet between f ireresistive
or fire partitions, fire walls, and f ireresistive floors. Larger
areas may be subdivided with f ireretardant wood or with materials
of similar combustible characteristics when complying with section
903.62 but not to exceed fifty (50) percent increase in area.
SECTION 911.0 VERTICAL SHAFTS AND HOISTWAYS
The provisions of this section shall apply to all vertical shaft
enclosures, except as provided for stairway enclosures in section
618, flue enclosures in section 1009, incinerator chutes in sections
1014 and 1015 duct shafts in sections 1016 and 1017 , and pipe shafts
in section 1115 .
911.1 OPEN SHAFT ENCLOSURES: The enclosing wall of shafts that are
open to the outer air at the top shall be constructed of materials
specified in article 8 for exterior walls of buildings and structures
of the required f ireresistance specified in table 2-5.
911.2 COVERED SHAFT ENCLOSURES: The enclosing walls and the top of
interior covered shafts shall be constructed of approved masonry, re-
inforced concrete or other approved construction with a f ireresistance
rating of not less than two (2) hours, except as provided in section
911.3.
911.3 SHAFTS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS: In one- and two-family dwell-
ings of other than fireproof or noncombustible construction, shafts
may be supported on and constructed of combustible materials or as-
semblies having a fireresistance rating of not less than three-quarter
(3/4) hours, and shall extend not less than three (3) feet above the
roof with a ventilating skylight of noncombustible construction as
specified in section 928.
911.4 TOP ENCLOSURE.
911.41 NOT EXTENDING TO ROOF: A shaft that does not extend into
the top story of the building shall be enclosed with top construc-
tion of the same strength and fireresistance as the floors of the
building or structure in which it occurs, but in no case less than
that of the fireresistance rating of the shaft enclosure. Such shafts
shall be provided with noncombustible vents for the relief of smoke
and gasses in the event of fire, with an area not less than ten (10)
percent of the shaft area.
9-18
911.42 EXTENDING TO ROOF: All shafts that extend to the roof of
the building shall be covered at the top with a thermostatically
controlled skylight of not less than twenty-five (25) percent of
the area of the shaftway, constructed in accordance with the re-
quirements of section 928. The automatic operation of the sky-
light may be controlled by fusible links designed to operate at a
fixed temperature of not more than one hundred and sixty (160) de-
grees F. or by electric or pneumatic operation under a rapid rise
in temperature at a rate of fifteen (15) to twenty (20) degrees F.
per minute or by other approved methods.
911.43 ALTERNATE SHAFT VENTILATION: The skylight herein required
may be replaced by a window of equivalent area in the side of the
shaft, provided the sill of such window is not less than two (2)
feet above the adjoining roof and is equipped with an automatic vent
opening, does not face on an interior lot line or within ten (10)
feet thereof, and is not located within twenty (20) feet of an open-
ing in adjacent walls.
911.5 BOTTOM ENCLOSURE: All shafts that do not extend to the bot-
tom of the building or structure shall be enclosed at the lowest
level with construction of the same strength and f ireresistance as
the lowest floor through which it passes , but in no case with a
f ireresistance rating less than that of the shaft enclosure.
911.6 EXISTING SHAFTWAYS : In all existing shaftways of buildings
of assembly (use groups F-1 , F-2 , F-3 and F-4) , institutional (use
groups H-1 and H-2) and residential (use groups L-1 and L-2) classi-
fications, which are not already enclosed as herein required, the
building official shall direct such construction as he may deem
necessary to insure the safety of the occupants,
911.7 SHAFT OPENING: No openings other than necessary for the pur-
pose of the shaftway shall be constructed in shaft enclosures; and
all openings shall be protected with approved fire doors or fire
shutters complying with the provisions of sections 917, 918, 919.
SECTION 912.0 WALL LINTELS
912.1 FIRE PROTECTION. Lintels over openings wider than four (4)
feet in masonry walls, other than in walls of masonry veneer on
wood frame structures, shall be fire protected as required by sec-
tion 913 for structural members, when the full load over the open-
ing is not relieved by a masonry arch of required strength. The
members of an assembled metal lintel that support only outer face
masonry that is securely bonded or anchored to backing, need not be
fire protected as required for structural members supporting masonry.
9-19
912,2 STONE LINTELS: Except when otherwise approved by the build-
ing official in controlled material procedure, the use of stone lin-
tels on spans exceeding four (4) feet shall be prohibited unless
supplemented by fireproofed structural members or masonry arches of
the required strength to support the superimposed wall load.
SECTION 913.0 BEAMS AND GIRDERS
All beams and girders shall be protected with noncombustible ma-
terials or assemblies of component materials to afford the fire-re-
sistance specified in table 2-5 and as herein modified.
913.1 PROTECTION OF BEAMS AND GIRDERS: Beams and girders that are
required to be fire protected, and that support only one (1) floor
or a roof, and/or a nonbearing wall not more than one (1) story high,
shall be individually encased on all sides with materials having the
required fireresistance rating; or shall be protected by a ceiling
as specified in section 913.2 having the required fireresistance
rating; or shall be protected by a combination of both a ceiling
and individual encasement which, together, provide the required
fireresistance rating. Beams and girders that are required to be
fire protected, and that support more than one (1) floor or a
nonbearing wall, more than one (1) story high, or a bearing wall,
shall be individually encased on all sides for their entire length
or height with materials having the required fireresistance rating.
Similar individual encasement shall be provided for all structural
elements supporting stairway enclosures.
913.11 Ceilings that contribute to the required fireresistance
rating of a floor or roof assembly shall be continuous between
exterior walls, vertical fire divisions, or vertical partitions having
at least the same fireresistance rating as the ceiling.
913.2 CEILING FIXTURES: Ceilings required to have a fireresistance
rating may be pierced to accommodate noncombustible electric outlet
boxes or recessed lighting fixtures, if the aggregate area of such
openings does not exceed sixteen (16) square inches in each ninety
(90) square feet of ceiling area and the electrical outlet boxes or
recessed lighting fixtures are constructed of steel at least .022
inches thick and sealed tightly at the ceiling. Noncombustible
pipes, ducts, and additional or larger electrical or other service
facilities may pierce ceilings that are required to have a fireresistance
rating only when the type of ceiling to be used has been tested with
such types of facilities installed in place and the proportionate
area of openings for such facilities to be installed in the ceiling
does not exceed the proportionate area of such openings in the
assembly tested, and provided no opening is larger than that in the
assembly tested. Protection for such openings shall be the same as
provided in the test. Duct openings installed in accordance with
the foregoing shall be protected by fire dampers complying with the
requirements of article 18.
9-20
913.3 FIRESTOPPING OF CEILING SPACES: Floor or roof assemblies re-
quired to have a firesistance rating shall have any concealed spaces
therein firestopped as outlined below:
913.31 FIRESTOPPING OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: The concealed
space above f ireresistive ceilings shall be firestopped into areas
not exceeding three thousand (3,000) square feet with materials list-
ed in section 921.0 for the full height of the concealed space. Access
to each such concealed space may be through one (1) or more openings
not exceeding nine (9) square feet and protected by self -enclosing
protectives having the fire protection rating required by table 2-5.
Firestopping shall not be required where the structural members with-
in the concealed space are individually protected with materials hav-
ing the required f ireresistance rating, or where the ceiling is not
an essential part of the f ireresistance assembly. Firestopping shall
not be required where a concealed space is sprinklered in accordance
with the construction requirements of article 12. Concealed spaces
over boiler rooms and under roofs may be ventialated to the outer
air.
913.4 FIRESTOPPING OF WOOD JOIST CONSTRUCTION: Where the ceilings
are suspended below wood joist floor construction, the space between
the ceiling and the floor above shall be firestopped in areas of not
more than one thousand (1000) square feet with materials meeting the
requirements of section 921.
913.5 WALL SUPPORTS: Structural members which support walls shall
be protected in conformance with section 913.1 to afford not less
than the required f ireresistance of the wall construction supported
thereon.
913.6 EXTERIOR EXPOSED BEAMS AND GIRDERS: Beams and girders exposed
to the outdoors on building that do not exceed two (2) stories or
thirty (30) feet in height, which are required by table 2-5 to have
a f ireresistance rating not exceeding one (1) hour need not be pro-
tected on any face of the member that has an exterior separation of
thirty (30) feet or more, provided the outdoor area within the thirty
(30) foot separation distance is not used for storage of materials,
or for motor vehicle parking.
913.7 BEAMS AND GIRDERS IN CAVITY WALLS: Where beams and girders
occur within exterior cavity walls, portions of such structural mem-
bers facing the exterior need not be individually fire protected if
the outer wythe of the cavity wall provides the required fireresis-
tance rating and is located not more than two and one-half (Ih.)
inches from such structural members, and if all surfaces of the
structural members are fire protected from the interior of the build-
ing by materials having the required f ireresistance rating.
913.8 EMBEDMENTS AND ENCLOSURES: Pipes, wires, conduits, ducts,
or other service facilities shall not be embedded in the required
fire protection of a structural member that is required to be in-
dividually encased; except that pipes, wires, and conduits may be
9-21
installed in the space between the required fire protection and the
structural member protected, provided that where such facilities
pierce the required fire protection, the area of the penetrations
does not exceed two (2) percent of the area of the fire protection,
on any one (1) face, the penetrations are closed off with close-
fitting metal escutheons or plates and the concealed space shall be
fire-stopped at each story in accordance with the provisions of sec-
tion 913.3.
9.3.9 IMPACT PROTECTION: Where the fire protective covering of a
structural member is subject to impact damage from moving vehicles,
the handling of merchandise, or other activity, the fire protective
covering shall be protected by corner guards or by a substantial
jacket of metal or other noncombustible material to a height adequate
to provide full protection. Where applicable, such protection shall
be designed in accordance with the requirements of section 710.
SECTION 914.0 COLUMNS
All steel, iron and other approved metal colxnnns and reinforcement
in concrete columns shall be protected with noncombustible materials
or assemblies of component materials to afford the fireresistance
specified in table 2-5 and as herein modified. Columns that are re-
quired to be fire protected, and that support only one floor or a
roof, and/or a non-bearing wall not more than one (1) story high,
shall be individually encased on all sides with materials having the
required fireresistance rating; or shall be protected by a ceiling
as specified in section 913.2 having the required fireresistance
rating; or shall be protected by a combination of both a ceiling and
individual encasement which, together, provide the required firere-
sistance rating. Columns that are required to be fire protected,
and that support more than one (1) floor or support a bearing wall
or non-bearing wall more than one (1) story high, shall be individually
encased on all sides for their entire length or height with materials
having the required fireresistance rating; (or shall be protected
by a combination of both a ceiling and individual encasement which,
together, provide the required fireresistance rating.)
914.1 EXTERIOR COLUMNS: Columns located in exterior walls or along
the outer lines of a building or structure shall be fireprotected
as required by this section and shall be protected agains corrosion
by cement parging, waterproofing, or other approved methods comply-
ing with section 871.
914.2 COLUMNS IN CAVITY WALLS: Where columns occur within exterior
cavity walls, portions of such structural members facing the exterior
need not be individually fire protected if the outer wythe of the
cavity wall provides the required fireresistance rating and is located
not more than two and one half (2h) inches from such structural members,
and if all surfaces of the structural members are fire protected from
the interior of the building by materials having the required fire-
resistance rating.
9-22
914.3 EMBEDDED MECHANICAL FACILITIES: Plumbing and heating pipes
and vent ducts and similar service equipment shall be installed out-
side of the required protective column covering; except that plumb-
ing pipes, wires, conduits and cables may be embedded in the required
fireproof protection when they occupy not more than one-quarter (h)
of the fireproofed surface of a rectangular column face nor more
than one-quarter (M) of the perimeter of a round column.
914.4 MECHANICAL PROTECTION: Where the fire protective covering of
a structural member is subject to impact damage from moving vehicles,
the handling of merchandise, or other activity, the fire protective
covering shall be protected by corner guards or by a substantial
jacket of metal or other noncombustible material, to a height adequate
to provide full protection. Where applicable, such protection shall
be designed in accordance with the requirements of section 710.
914.5 EXTERIOR EXPOSED COLUMNS: Columns exposed to the outdoors on
buildings that do not exceed two (2) stories or thirty (30) feet in
height, which are required by table 2-5 to have a f ireresistance rat-
ing not exceeding one (1) hour need not be protected on any face of
the member that has an exterior separation of thirty (30) feet or
more, provided the outdoor area within the thirty (30) foot separa-
tion distance is not used for storage of materials, or for motor
vehicle parking. The interior faces of exterior columns shall be
protected and insulated as otherwise required.
914.6 ANCHORS, BANDS AND TIES.
914.61 CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT: Concrete fire protection on struc-
tural metal columns shall be reinforced and anchored by wire mesh,
metal caging, metal clips or spirally wound wire of approved types.
Wire fabric shall be not less than No. 12 U.S. gage, four (4) by
four (4) inch mesh or its equivalent; spirally wound wire shall be
not less than No. 10 U.S. gage with not over four (4) inch pitch or
equivalent heavier wire at a maximum pitch of eight (8) inches.
914.62 GYPSUM CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT: Poured-in-place gypsum fire
protection shall be reinforced and anchored by wire fabric of not
less than No. 16 U.S. gage, two (2) by two (2) inch mesh or No. 14
U.S. gage, four (4) by four (4) inch mesh.
914.63 MASONRY UNIT TIES: Block and tile fireproof ing units shall
be securely anchored or bounded by wall ties, metal mesh or metal
u-clips in the horizontal joints, or by outside tie wires not less
than No. 16 U.S. gage with at least one (1) tie around every block
course; or shall consist of special masonry units designed to furnish
positive anchorage to the strucural member and to each other.
914.64 EXPOSED TIES: When outside tie wires are used, they shall be
protected by not less than one-half (^s) inch of cement mortar, or
gypsum plaster or the equivalent f ireresistive covering.
9-23
914.7 REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS: The thickness of protection re-
quired outside of reinforcing steel in concrete columns shall be pro-
portioned by test to meet the fireresistive requirements of table 2-
5 base on the fireresistive classification of concrete aggregates.
SECTION 915.0 TRUSSES
All trusses shall be protected with noncombustible materials or
assemblies of component materials to afford the f ireresistance speci-
fied in Table 2-5 and as herein modified.
915.1 PROTECTION OF TRUSSES: Trusses that are required to be fire
protected, and that support only one floor or a roof, and/or a non-
bearing wall not more than one (1) story high, shall be individually
encased on all sides with materials having the required f ireresistance
rating; or shall be protected by a ceiling as specified in section
913.2 having the required f ireresistance rating; or shall be pro-
tected by a combination of both a ceiling and individual encasement
which, together, provide the required f ireresistance rating. Trusses
that are required to be fire protected, and that support more than
one story high, shall be individually encased on all sides for their
entire length or height with materials having the required f ireresis-
tance rating. With the use of a continuous ceiling of the specified
f ireresistance rating, the enclosed truss space shall have an access
doorway with maximum dimensions of three (3) by three (3) feet,
equipped with an opening protective of the same f ireresistance rat-
ing as the required truss protection. When the trusses or the roof
decking are permitted to be constructed of combustible materials,
the space above the required fireresistive ceiling shall be sub-
divided into maximum areas of three thousand (3,000) square feet as
required for attic spaces in section 316.
915.2 ONE STORY BUILDING: In all one (1) story buildings required
to be of fireresistive construction, no protection shall be required
for the members of roof trusses, purlins or roof beams when the
height to the lowest chord is twenty (20) feet or more from the floor.
915.3 ROOFS LESS THAN 20 FEET HIGH: In multi-story buildings of
tjrpes of construction in which fire protected coverings of the struc-
tural framework are required by table 2-5 and the provisions of the
Basic Code, the fire protection of individual members of the roof
truss may be omitted when the clear height of the lower chord of the
truss is more than fifteen (15) and less than twenty (20) feet above
the floor, gallery or balcony immediately below and a three-quarter
(3/4) hour continuous ceiling is installed.
915.4 ROOFS 20 FEET OR HIGHER: When every part of the structural
framework is twenty (20) feet or more above the floor immediately
below, all fire protection of the structural members may be omitted,
including the protection of roof beams and purlins.
9-24
915.5 ROOF SLABS AND ARCHES: Where the omission of fire protection
from roof trusses and purlins is permitted, the horizontal or sloping
roofs in fireproof (type 1) and noncombustible (type 2) constructions,
immediately above such trusses, shall be constructed of noncombustible
materials of the required strength without a specified f ireresistance
rating, or of mill type construction in buildings not over five (5)
stories or sixty-five (65) feet in height.
SECTION 916.0 EXTERIOR OPENING PROTECTIVES
Where specified herein, the exterior openings of all buildings and
structures more than three (3) stories or forty (40) feet in height,
other than churches (use group F-4), residential buildings (use groups
L-2 and L-3) and buildings of frame (type 4) construction, shall have
approved fire windows, shutters, curtains, doors or other approved
opening protectives meeting the requirements of the Basic Code and the
provisions of article 4 for special uses and occupancies.
916.1 HORIZONTAL EXPOSURE: Approved protectives shall be provided in
every opening facing a street thirty (30) feet or less in width, or
within thirty (30) feet horizontally in a direct line not in the same
plane of any unprotected noncombustible (type 2-C) , unprotected frame
(type 4-B) structure, or within thirty (30) feet horizontally of any
opening in another building of any type of construction.
916.2 VERTICAL EXPOSURE: Approved protectives shall be provided in
every opening which is less than fifty (50) feet vertically above the
roof of an adjoining structure within a horizontal distance of thirty
(30) feet of the wall in which the opening is located, unless such roof
construction affords a f ireresistance of not less than one and one-half
(1%) hours.
916.3 INTERIOR LOT LINE EXPOSURE: Opening protectives shall be pro-
vided in every permissible wall opening in buildings of high hazard (use
group A) within eleven (11) feet of an interior lot line; in buildings
of moderate hazard (use group B-1) within six (6) feet of such lot
lines; and in wall openings of frame buildings which are erected within
six (6) feet of interior lot lines, except for store fronts and window
and door openings in dwellings of use group L-2 and L-3.
916.4 FIRST STORY OPENINGS: The required f ireresistive opening pro-
tectives may be omitted in first story openings facing on a street or
other public space not less than thirty (30) feet wide, when not ex-
tending more than twenty-five (25) feet above grade.
916.5 NON-AUTOMATIC PROTECTIVES: Required protective assemblies in
exterior openings, unless self-closing or provided with approved auto-
matic closing devices, operative from either side, shall be closed at
the end of business hours and at all times when not required for light
and ventilation under the provisions of article 5.
916.6 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS: Exterior windows and doors, including
their frames and glazing, that are not required by this Code to have a
fire-protection rating, may be of combustible materials.
9-25
SECTION 917.0 FIRE DOORS
917.1 FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLIES: Approved fire door assemblies as defined
in this Code shall be constructed of any material or assembly of com-
ponent materials which meet the test requirements of section 903 and 904
and the f ireresistance rating herein required.
FIRERESISTANCE
Location Rating in Hours
Fire walls and fire divisions of 3 or more
hour construction 3
Fire walls and fire divisions of 2 hour
construction 1-1/2
Shaft enclosures and elevator hoistways of
2 hour construction 1-1/2
Stairway and exitway enclosures of 1 hour or
less except fire towers and grade passageways 3/4
Doors in exitways of residential and business use building not more
than three (3) stories or forty (40) feet in height with an occupancy
load of not more than forty (40) below or seventy (70) above grade and
doors from hotel rooms (occupancy group L-1) and from hospital rooms
(occupancy group H-2), to corridors providing access to an exitway may
be of noncombustible construction or of one and three-quarter (13/4)
inch bonded solid-core wood doors.
Doors in Schoohouse Use Group F-3 and F-4 occupancy except as herein
otherwise provided for may be of one and three-quarter (1-3/4) inch
solid-core wood doors. PljTwood face veneers not more than one twenty-
eighth (1/28) inch thick shall be permitted on such doors.
917.2 LABELED PROTECTIVE ASSEMBLIES: Labeled protective assemblies
meeting the requirements of section 903.53 and 903.55, and the reference
standards of this article, including shop inspection, shall be approved
for use in the following typical and special situations:
917.21 TYPICAL SITUATIONS:
- CLASS A DOORS: fire wall openings in accordance with section 908.
- CLASS B DOORS: vertical shafts and openings in fire partitions
in accordance with sections 909. and 911.
- CLASS C DOORS: openings in corridor, room and f ireresistive par
titions in accordance with section 910.
In all schoolhouse uses other than F-3 and F-4, openings in
corridors, rooms and f ireresistive partitions shall conform to the
requirements of section 910.
- CLASS D DOORS AND WINDOWS: openings in exterior walls in exposing
and exposed buildings of high hazard use (use group A) in accor-
dance with article 4 and along exterior stairways in accordance
with section 621.
- CLASS E DOORS AND WINDOWS: openings in exterior walls and along
fire escapes except where class D protectives are requiredzin
accordance with section 624.
9-26
917.22 SPECIAL SITUATIONS: Approved labeled opening protective as-
semblies shall be accepted as complying with the required time-tem-
perature performance ratings specified in the Basic Code including
the following special situations:
- CLASS A DOORS: high pressure boiler room walls in accordance
with sections 618 and 1113.
Volatile flammables, film, pyroxylin products and fur storage
vaults in accordance with sections 403, 406, and 407.
Grinding and grain processing rooms in accordance with section 409.
Paint and flammable storage rooms in accordance with section 410.
Dry cleaning rooms of high and moderate hazard in accordance
with section 411.
Proscenium walls of theatres in accordance with section 416.
Transformer room walls in accordance with Massachusetts Elec-
trical Code.
- CLASS B DOORS: motion picture studios in accordance with sec-
tion 407.
Dressing rooms in accordance with section 416.
Show rooms in public garages in accordance with section 413.
Theatre exits and property rooms in accordance with section 416.
Fire and smokeproof towers in accordance with section 620.
Horizontal exits in accordance with sections 616 and 908.
- CLASS C DOORS: projection and trial exhibition rooms in accor-
dance with section 407.
Paint spray rooms in accordance with section 410.
Service stations and repair shops in accordance with sections 414
and 415.
Kitchen and service pantries in places of assembly in accor-
dance with section 417.
Corridor rooms and all fireresistive partitions in accordance
with section 910.
- CLASS D DOORS: attached garages in accordance with sections 412
and 917. Switchboard rooms where required in the Basic Code.
917.3 MULTIPLE DOORS.
917.31 FIRE WALLS: Two (2) doors of one and one-half (1%) hour
fireresistance each, installed on opposite sides of the same opening,
shall be deemed equivalent in fireresistance to one three (3) hour
door.
917.32 FIRE PARTITIONS: Two (2) doors of three-quarter (3/4) hour
fireresistance each, installed on opposite sides of same opening
shall be deemed equivalent in fireresistance to a one and one-half
(l^s) hour fire door.
9-27
917.4 GLASS PANELS: Wire glass panels shall be permitted in fire
doors within the limitations of section 919.
917.5 ALTERNATE CLOSING DEVICES: Except as may be otherwise pro-
vided for openings in fire and fire division walls, all fire doors
shall be self-closing and shall be closed during occupancy of the
building or part thereof; except that the building official may
accept the use of rate of rise heat actuated devices meeting the re-
quirements of the approved rules on doors that are normally required
to be open for ventilation or other specified purposes when the safety
of the occupants is not endangered thereby.
SECTION 918.0 FIRE WINDOWS AND SHUTTERS
918.1 FIRERESISTANCE RATING: Approved assemblies of fire window
and fire shutters shall meet the test requirements of sections 903
and 904, or shall be approved labeled assemblies meeting the require-
ments of section 903.55.
Steel window frame assemblies of one-eights (1/8) inch minimum
solid section or of not less than No. 18 U.S. gage formed sheet
steel members fabricated by pressing, mitering, riveting, inter-
locking or welding and having provision for glazing with one-quarter
(1/4) inch wired glass as required in section 919.0, when securely
installed in the building construction and glazed with one-quarter
(1/4) inch wired glass, shall be deemed to meet the requirements for
a three-quarter (3/4) hour fire window assembly.
918.2 WINDOW MULLIONS: All metal mullions which exceed a nominal
height of twelve (12) feet shall be protected with insulating ma-
terials to afford the same f ireresistance as required for the wall
construction in which the protective is located.
918.3 SWINGING FIRE SHUTTERS: When fire shutters of the swinging
type are used in exterior openings , not less than one (1) row in
every three (3) vertical rows shall be arranged to be readily opened
from the outside and shall be identified by distinguishing marks or
letters not less than six (6) inches high.
918.4 ROLLING FIRE SHUTTERS: When fire shutters of the rolling type
are used, they shall be of approved counterbalanced construction that
can be readily opened from the outside.
918.5 VERTICAL SEPARATION OF WINDOWS.
918.51 WHERE REQUIRED: In all buildings and structures designed
for storage, mercantile, industrial and business uses (use groups A,
B, C, D and E) , exceeding three (3) stories or forty (40) feet in
height, openings located vertically above one another in exterior
walls which are required to have a f ireresistance rating of more
9-28
than three-quarter (3/4) hours shall be separated by apron or span-
drel walls not less than three (3) feet in height extending between
the top of any opening and the bottom of the opening next above.
918.52 FIRERESISTANCE RATING: The apron or spandrel walls shall
be constructed with the same fireresistance required for the ex-
terior wall in which located as specified in table 2-5, except that
when such required rating exceeds three-quarter (3/4) hours, approved
wired glass construction in fixed noncombustible sash and frames not
exceeding one-third (1/3) of the area of such apron or spandrel may
be located therein, and except further that in exterior nonbearing
enclosure walls which are not required to be of more than three-quarter
(3/4) hour fireresistance, the provisions of this section in respect
to apron or spandrel walls shall not apply.
SECTION 919.0 WIRED GLASS
Wired glass in approved opening protective assemblies shall be not
less than one-quarter (1/4) inch thick and shall be limited in area
and location as herein required.
919.1 FIRE WALL PROTECTIVES: Wired glass in fire doors located in
fire walls shall be prohibited, except when serving as horizontal
exits, the self-closing swinging door may be provided with a vision
panel of not more than one hundred (100) square inches with no dimen-
sion exceeding twelve (12) inches.
919.2 FIRE PARTITION PROTECTIVES: Wired glass vision panels may be
used in fire doors of one and one-half (1%) hour fireresistance rat-
ing intended for use in fire partitions; but in no case shall the
glass panels be more than one hundred (100) square inches in area
with no dimension exceeding twelve (12) inches.
919.3 FIRERESISTIVE PARTITION PROTECTIVES: Wired glass panels in
three-quarter (3/4) hour fire doors shall not exceed a total exposed
area of one thousand two hundred and ninety-six (1296) square inches;
except as provided in section 917.32.
919.4 WIRED GLASS IN LABELED DOORS AND WINDOWS: One-quarter (1/4)
inch wired glass may be used in approved labeled opening protectives
with the following maximum sizes:
LIMITING SIZE OF WIRED GLASS PANELS
in
Class A door per opening
Class B door per opening
Class C door per light
Class D door per light
Class E door per light
Class E window per light
Class F window per light
Area
Height
Width
square inches
in inches
in inches
100
12
12
1296
....
• • • •
720
54
44
720
54
54
2916
54
54
9-29
919.5 EXITWAY PROTECTIVES: Unless specifically required in article
4 to be solid in such locations where unusually hazardous conditions
prevail, fire doors in elevator and stairway shaft enclosures may be
equipped with vision panels which shall be so located as to furnish
clear vision of the passageway or appraoch to the elevator or stair-
way. Such vision panels shall not exceed the size limitations spec-
ified for class B doors.
SECTION 920.0 FIRERESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR PLASTER
920.1 THICKNESS OF PLASTER: The required thickness of f ireresistive
plaster protection shall be determined by the prescribed fire tests
for the specified use and type of construction and in accordance
with the provisions of section 820 for interior plastering and sec-
tion 821 for exterior plastering. The thickness in all cases shall
be measured from the face of the plaster base when applied to fiber
board, wood, or gypsum lath and from the back of metal lath.
920.2 PLASTER EQUIVALENTS: For f ireresistive purposes, one-half
(h) inch of unsanded gypsum plaster shall be deemed equivalent to
three-quarter (3/4) inches of one (1) to three (3) sanded gypsum
or one (1) inch Portland cement plaster.
920.3 NONCOMBUSTIBLE FURRING: In fireproof (type 1) and noncom-
bustible (type 2) construction, plaster shall be applied directly
on masonry or on approved noncombustible plastering base and furring.
920.4 DOUBLE REINFORCEMENT: Except in solid plaster partitions, or
when otherwise determined by the prescribed fire tests, plaster pro-
tections more than one (1) inch in thickness shall be reinforced
with an additional layer of approved lath imbedded at least three
quarter (3/4) inch from the outer surface and fixed securely in place.
920.5 PLASTER ALTERNATES FOR CONCRETE: In reinforced concrete con-
struction, gypsum or Portland cement plaster may be substituted for
one-half (%) inch of the required poured concrete protection, except
that a minimum thickness of three-eighth (3/8) inches of poured con-
crete shall be provided in all reinforced concrete floors and one
(1) inch in reinforced concrete columns in addition to the plaster
finish and the concrete base shall be prepared in accordance with
section 821.6.
SECTION 921.0 FIRESTOPPING
921.1 WHERE REQUIRED: Firestopping shall be designed and construc-
ted to close all concealed draft openings and to form effectual fire
barriers against the spread of fire between stories of every building
and in all open structural spaces therein, including the following
locations: for the subdivision of attic spaces in section 316.0, for
combustible wall, partition and floor framing in section 874.0 for
ceiling spaces in section 913 ; for open spaces behind acoustical and
9-30
other finishes in section 923; for floor sleeper spaces in section
924; for pipe, duct and flue openings in section 1117 and for fire
dampers and curtains in section 1810.
921.2 FIRESTOPPING MATERIALS: All firestopping shall consist of
noncombustible materials including asbestos, brick, terra cotta,
concrete, fibrous glass, gypsum, mineral wool, rock wool, steel,
iron, metal lath and cement or gypsum plaster, formed steel of not
less than No. 20 U.S. gage, or other approved noncombustible mater-
ials, securely fastened in place; except that firestops of two (2)
thicknesses of one (1) inch lumber with broken lap joints or of two
(2) inch lumber installed with tight joints shall be permitted in
open spaces of wood framing.
921.3 INSPECTION OF FIRESTOPPING: No firestopping shall be concealed
or covered from view until inspected and approved by the building
official.
SECTION 922.0 INTERIOR FINISH AND TRIM
922.1 FLOORS AND FLOOR COVERINGS: Finish floors and floor coverings
shall be exempt from the requirements of this section provided , how-
ever, that in any case where the building official finds a floor sur-
face of unusual hazard the floor surface shall be considered a part
of the interior finish for the purpose of this code.
TABLE 9-3 - INTERIOR FINISH REQUIREMENTS
Required
Corridors
Vert
ical
Providing
Rooms or
Ex it ways and
Ex it way
Enclosed
Use Groups
Passageways
Access
Spaces (a)
A
High Hazard
I
II
III
B-1
Storage-Moderate Ha;
jard
I
II
III
B-2
Storage-Low Hazard
I
II
III
C
Mercantile Walls
Ceilings
I
II
11(e)
D
Industrial
I
II
III
E
Business
I
II
III
F-1
Assembly- Theatres
I
I
11(b)
F-2
Assembly-Night Clubi
3
I
I
11(b)
F-3
Assembly-Halls , Termi-
nals, Restaurants
I
I, 1(e)
11(b)
F-4
Assembly-Churches ,
Schools
1
I
11(b)
H-1
Institutional-Restrained
I
I
1(c)
H-2
Institutional-Inca-
pacitated
I
II
1(c)
L-1
Residential-Hotels
I
II
III
L-2
Residential-Multi-
family Dwellings
I
II
III
L-3
Residential-1 and 2-
-
Family Dwellings
IV(f)
IV(f)
IV
9-31
NOTE a. - Requirements for rooms or enclosed spaces are based upon
spaces enclosed in partitions of the building or structure, and where
fireresistance is required for the structural elements the enclosing
partitions shall extend from the floor to the ceiling. Partitions
which do not comply with this shall not be considered as enclosing
spaces and the rooms or spaces on both sides thereof shall be count-
ed as one. In determining the applicable requirements for rooms or
enclosed spaces, the specific use or occupancy thereof shall be the
governing factor, regardless of the occupancy group classification
of the building or structure. When approved full sprinkler protec-
tion is provided, the interior finish of class II or III materials
may be used in place of class I or II materials respectively, where
required in the table, except in exitways.
NOTE b. - Class III interior finish materials may be used in places
of assembly with a capacity of 300 persons or less except for use
group F-6.
NOTE c. - Class III interior finish materials may be used in admin-
istrative areas. Class II interior finish materials may be used in
individual rooms of not over 4 persons capacity. Provisions in Note
"a" allowing a change in interior finish classes when sprinkler pro-
tection shall not apply.
NOTE d. - Class III interior finish materials may be used for wain-
scoting of paneling for not more than one thousand (1000) square feet
of applied surface area in the grade lobby when applied directly to
a noncombustible base or over furring strips applied to a noncombus-
tible base and fire-stopped as required by section 923.
NOTE e. - Class III interior finish materials may be used in mer-
cantile occupancies of 3,000 square feet or less gross area, used for
sales purposes on the street floor only. (balcony permitted) .
NOTE f . - Class IV finish having a flame spread rating not greater
than five hundred (500) is permitted in one- and two-family dwellings,
except that material of no greater flame spread than class III finish
shall be used in exitways from the upper story of a two-family dwelling.
922.2 CLASSIFICATION OF MATERIALS:
a) The classification of interior finish materials specified in
section 922.2 (b) shall be that of the basic material used,
without regard to subsequently applied paint or wallpaper.
However, the building official shall revise the classifica-
tion of the basic material when such finishes , in his opinion
are of such characteristics or thickness or so applied as to
affect materially the flame spread characteristics. This re-
vised classification shall be that corresponding to the rating
of the combination of the basic material together with the ap-
plied finish.
9-32
b) Interior finish materials shall be grouped in classes accord-
ing to their flame spread and related characteristics as given
in table 9-2.
c) Smoke: Notwithstanding the flame spread classification of sec-
tions 922.2 (a) and 922.2 (b) , any material shown by test to have
a life hazard greater than that indicated by the flame spread
classification owing to the amount of character of smoke gen-
erated, shall be included in the group appropriate to this ac-
tual hazard as determined by the enforcing authority.
d) Fire Retardant Paints: (1) In existing buildings, the required
flame spread classification of interior surfaces may be secured
by applying approved fire retardant paints of solutions to
existing interior surfaces having a higher flame spread rating
than permitted. "Approved" shall mean a paint or solution
tested by Underwriters' Laboratories in accordance with ASTM
E-84-61 (NFPA No. 255 dated May, 1961) and rated with flame
spread classifications in accordance with the requirements set
forth, and applied in accordance with manufacturer's specifi-
cations to achieve these ratings. (2) Fire retardant paints
or solutions shall be renewed at such intervals as necessary
to maintain the necessary fire retardant properties. Durability
and serviceability of paint shall meet the washability and
leeching standards established by Federal Specification (D.O.D.)
TT-P-0026b dated August 24, 1961.
e) Trim and Other Incidental Finish: Interior finish not in ex-
cess of ten (10) percent of the aggregate wall and ceiling
areas of any room or space may be Class III materials in oc-
cupancies where interior finish of lower flame spread rating
is required.
f) In mill type construction, heavy timber structural members
shall be exempt and no treatment of such heavy timbers mem-
bers will be permitted that would increase the flame rating
of the natural untreated timber.
g) Interior Finish and Trim Requirements by Use Occupancy: In-
terior finish material shall be used in accordance with require-
ments for individual classes of occupancy specified in sections
202 thru 213. Wherever the use of any class of interior finish
is specified, the use of a higher class shall be permitted; e.g.
where Class II is specified. Class I may be used.
h) Automatic Sprinklers: Where a complete standard system of auto-
matic sprinklers is installed, interior finish with flame spread
rating one class lower than that specified in table 9-2 may be
used; e.g. where Class II is normally specified, an interior
finish with flame spread rating not over Class III may be used.
9-33
prescribed for the various occupancy groups listed in Table 9-3
when tested in accordance with the requirements of Section 904.
922.4 INTERIOR TRIM: Baseboards, chair rails, mouldings, trim
around openings and other interior trim not more than twelve (12)
inches in width, may be of Class I, II or III materials except trim
around fire windows and fire doors shall comply with the requirements
of section 917 and section 918 and except that only Class I or II
materials shall be used for interior trim where interior finish is
restricted to Class I material.
Class IV trim having a flamespread rating not greater than five
hundred (500) shall be allowed for trim only where Class IV material
is permitted for interior finish.
SECTION 923.0 APPLICATION OF INTERIOR FINISH
Where interior finish is regulated by the requirements of the Basic
Code, interior finish materials shall be applied or otherwise fastened
in such a manner that they will not readily become detached when sub-
jected to room temperatures of two hundred (200) degrees F. or less
for thirty (30) minutes, or otherwise become loose through changes
in the setting medium from the effects of time or conditions of oc-
cupancy .
923.1 APPLICATION TO STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS: Interior finish materials
applied to walls, ceilings or structural elements of a building or
structure which are required to be f ireresistive or to be constructed
of noncombustible component materials, shall be applied directly against
the exposed surface of such structural elements, or to furring strips
attached to such surfaces with all concealed spaces created thereby
firestopped where in excess of ten (10) square feet in area or eight
(8) feet in any dimension.
923.2 FURRED CONSTRUCTION: Where walls, ceilings or other struc-
tural elements are required to be f ireresistive or to be constructed
of noncombustible component materials and interior finish is set out
or dropped distances greater than one and three-quarter (1 3/4) Inches
from the surface of such elements, only material of which both faces
qualify as Class I shall be used, unless the finish material Is pro-
tected on both sides by automatic sprinklers (see note (a) to Table
9-3) or is attached to a noncombustible backing complying with sec-
tion 923.5 or to furring strips applied directly to such backing as
provided in section 923.1.
923.3 HEAVY TIMBER CONSTRUCTION: Interior finish materials may be
applied directly to the wood members and decking of heavy timber
(type 3A) construction, where permitted, or to furring strips applied
to such members or wood decking as provided in section 923.1.
923.4 CLASS II AND III MATERIAL: Interior finish materials, other
than Class I material, which are less than one-quarter (1/4) inch
in thickness shall be applied directly against a noncombustible
backing unless the tests under which such material has been
9-34
classified were made with the materials suspended from the non-
combustible backing.
923.5 NONCOMBUSTIBLE BACKING: Noncombustible backing for interior
finish materials shall be a continuous surface with permanently
tight joints, equal in area to the area of the finish, and extending
completely behind such finish in all directions; and may be of any
materials meeting the requirements of the Basic Code for noncom-
bustible classification of material under section 903.61 or of fire-
retardant treated wood. When the noncombustible backing does not
constitute an integral part of the structural elements or system,
it shall be attached directly to the structural elements or to furring
strips as required for the application of finish according to section
923.1, or may be suspended from the structural members at any distance
provided concealed spaces created thereby shall be firestopped in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Basic Code.
Where Class III interior finish is applied to a continuous noncom-
bustible backing beneath wood joist construction, the allowable area
for firestopping required in section 913.4 may be increased to three
thousand (3,000) square feet.
SECTION 924.0 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS PERMITTED IN FLOOR CONSTRUCTION
OF TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 BUILDINGS
Except as provided in section 618.0 for stairs and section
for theatres and similar places of public assembly (Use Groups F-1
and F-2) , the use of combustible materials in or on floors of type 1
and type 2 buildings shall be herein specified.
924.1 SLEEPERS, BUCKS AND GROUNDS: Floor sleepers, bucks, nailing
blocks and ground may be constructed of combustible materials, pro-
vided the space between the f ireresistive floor construction and
the flooring is solidly filled with noncombustible materials; or
the space under the flooring shall be firestopped in areas of not
more than one hundred (100) square feet, provided no such open spaces
shall extend under or through permanent partitions or walls.
924.2 FLOORING ON SLEEPERS: Wood finish floorings may be attached
directly to the embedded or firestopped wood sleepers.
924.3 FLOORING ON FIRERESISTIVE ARCHES: Wood finish flooring, and
wearing surfaces of other approved materials including cork, rubber
composition, linoleum, asphalt and composition tile and other materials
of similar combustible characteristics one-half (1/2) inch or less
thick shall be permitted when cemented directly to the top surface
of approved f ireresistive construction or cemented directly to a
subfloor of wood backed up solidly with noncombustible materials.
Combustible insulating boards not more than one-half (1/2) inch
thick may be used for sound deadening or heat insulating when attached
directly to a noncombustible floor assembly or to wood subflooring
which is backed up solidly with f ireresistive construction and
covered with approved finish flooring.
9-35
SECTION 925.0 DECORATIVE MATERIAL RESTRICTIONS
In places of public assembly, all draperies, hangings and other
decorative materials suspended from walls or ceilings shall be non-
combustible or flameresistant meeting the requirements of section
904 as herein specified:
925.1 NONCOMBUSTIBLE: The permissible amount of noncombustible
decorative hangings shall not be limited.
925.2 FLAMERESISTANT: The permissible amount of flameresistant
decorative hangings shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the total
wall and ceiling area.
SECTION 926.0 EXTERIOR TRIM RESTRICTIONS
926.1 GUTTERS AND LEADERS: All gutters and leaders hereafter
placed on buildings and structures other than frame (tjrpe 4) build-
ings, one and two-family dwellings and private garages and similar
accessory buildings shall be constructed of noncombustible materials.
926.2 ARCHITECTURAL TRIM.
926.21 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS: All architectural trim, such as
cornices and other exterior architectural elements, attached to the
exterior walls of buildings of types 1 and 2 construction shall be
constructed of approved noncombustible materials and shall be secured
to the wall with metal or other approved noncombustible brackets;
except that outside the fire limits, such trim may be of frame con-
struction when the building does not exceed three (3) stories or forty
(40) feet in height. Such trim may be of frame construction on all
buildings of types 3 and 4 construction.
926.22 LOCATION: When architectural trim, as described in section
926.21, is located along the top of exterior walls, it must be com-
pletely backed up by the exterior wall and shall not extend over the
top of exterior walls.
926.23 FIRESTOPPING: Continuous exterior architectural trim con-
structed of combustible materials shall be firestopped as required
in section 874.
926.3 COMBUSTIBLE HALF TIMBERING: In buildings of masonry enclosed
(type 3) construction that do not exceed three (3) stories or forty
(40) feet in height, exterior half -timbering and similar architectural
decorations may be constructed of wood or other equivalent combustible
materials, provided such trim is backed up solidly with approved non-
combustible materials.
926.4 BALCONIES: All balconies attached to or supported by build-
ings of types 1 and 2 construction shall be constructed of noncom-
bustible materials. Balconies attached to or supported by buildings
9-36
of type 3 and A construction may be of unproteced noncombustible
materials or frame construction. Balconies of frame construction
shall afford the f ireresistance rating required by table 2-5 for
floor construction and the aggregate length shall not exceed fifty
(50) percent of the building perimeter on each floor.
926.5 BAY AND ORIEL WINDOWS: All bay and oriel windows attached
to or supported by walls other than frame construction shall be of
noncombustible construction, framed with brackets of steel, concrete
or other approved noncombustible materials, unless specifically ex-
empted by section 303.
926.6 EXISTING COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: Any existing cornices or
other exterior architectural element constructed of wood or similar
combustible materials may be repaired with the same material to the
extend of fifty (50) percent of its area in any one year if the
public safety is not thereby endangered.
926.7 WOOD VENEERS: Inside the fire limits wood veneers are per-
mitted in accordance with section 303.10.
SECTION 927.0 ROOF STRUCTURES
All construction, other than aerial supports, clothes dryers and
similar structures less than twelve (12) feet high, water tanks and
cooling towers as hereinafter provided and flag poles, erected above
the roof of any part of any building or structure located within the
fire limits or of any building or structure more than forty (40)
feet in height outside the fire limits shall be constructed of non-
combustible materials.
927.1 SCUTTLES.
927.11 SIZE: Unless provided with other approved means of access
to the roof, every building and structure more than three (3)
stories or 40 feet in height, except dwellings with peak roofs and
all other buildings having roofs with a pitch greater than twenty
(20) degrees, shall have an access trap door not less than two (2)
by three (3) feet in area, securely attached or anchored to the
roof framing, with ladder leading thereto from the top story.
927.12 CONSTRUCTION: The trap door or scuttle shall be of fire-
resistive construction in fireproof (types 1-A and 1-B) , and non-
combustible (types 2-A, 2-B and 2-C) buildings; and of approved non-
combustible materials, or of wood covered on top and edges with sheet
metal in masonry enclosed (type 3) and protected frame (type-4) build-
ings.
927.2 SKYLIGHTS.
9-37
927.21 SASH AND FRAMES: Skylights which are inclined more than
thirty (30) degrees from the vertical hereafter constructed on all
buildings and structures except frame (type 4-B) buildings and all
skylights on fireproof and noncombustible (types 1 and 2) buildings
shall have the sash and frames thereof constructed of metal or other
approved noncombustible materials. In foundries or buildings where
acid fumes, deleterious to metal are incidental to the use of the
building, treated wood or other approved noncorrosive materials
shall be permitted.
927.22 GLASS — WIRED OR PLAIN: Skylights shall be glazed with
wired glass or of approved glass block construction conforming to
sections 812 and 859, except that skylights placed over shafts and
stair enclosures and skylights used for emergency heat and smoke
ventings shall be glazed with plain glass not over one-eighth (1/8)
inch thick. No single panel of wired glass in skylights shall ex-
ceed seven hundred and twenty (720) square inches in area or forty-
eight (48) inches in any dimension. Light transmitting plastic may
be used as specified in section 2006.0.
927.23 SCREENS: Plain glass skylights shall be protected by sub-
stantial corrosion-resistive metal or other approved noncombustible
screens having a mesh not less than three-quarter (3/4) by three-
quarter (3/4) inches nor larger than one (1) by one (1) inches,
constructed of not lighter than No. 12B and S gage wires. The
screen shall be erected at a distance of not less than four (4) nor
more than ten (10) inches above all glazed portions of the skylight
and shall project on all sides for a distance of not less than the
height of the screen above the glass. A similar screen shall be
placed below the skylight to afford protection to the occupants of
the building. The provisions for wired glass or screen protection
shall not apply to glass block skylights or to greenhouse construc-
tion.
927.3 PENTHOUSE.
927.31 ADDITIONAL STORY: Penthouses occupying more than one-third
(1/3) of the roof area shall be considered a story of the building
and the enclosure shall conform to the requirements for exterior
walls of the building type as regulated by table 2-5 and article 8.
927.32 RECESSED WALLS: When the exterior wall of a penthouse is
recessed five (5) feet or more from the exterior wall of the next
lower story which is required to have a greater f ireresistance, it
may be constructed with a f ireresistance rating of not less than
one and one-half (1%) hours, covered on the outside with noncom-
bustible, waterproof material and supported on protected steel or
reinforced concrete construction.
927.33 DOORS, FRAMES AND SASH: Doors, frames and window sash ex-
cept where otherwise specifically required to be fireproof or fire-
resistive under the Basic Code, shall be constructed the same as
other similar elements in the building or structure.
9-38
927.4 OTHER ROOF STRUCTURES: Roof structures other than penthouses
as defined in article 2 shall comply with the following provisions:
927.41 NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS: Unless constructed of masonry or
reinforced concrete in accordance with article 8, roof structures
erected on buildings and structures of fireproof and noncombustible
(types 1 and 2) construction shall be enclosed in walls of noncombus-
tible materials having a f ireresistance rating of not less than three-
quarter (3/4) hours protected with weather-resistive roof and wall
coverings complying with section 928.0.
927.42 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS: Roof structures erected on the roof
of masonry enclosed buildings (type 3) and protected frame (type
4-A) may be constructed of combustible materials protected to afford
a three-quarter (3/4) hour f ireresistance rating covered on the out-
side with approved roofing materials.
927.5 MANSARDS AND SLOPING ROOFS: Steep roofs having a slope of
more than sixty (60) degrees to the horizontal shall be constructed
of material having the same f ireresistance rating as required for
an exterior nonbearing wall of the building of which it is a part.
When the slope is sixty (60) degrees or less to the horizontal, the
sloping roof shall be constructed as required for the roof of the
building. Where the back of a false mansard is exposed to the out-
doors, the back shall be covered with noncombustible material or
with roof coverings as required for the roof of the building.
927.6 DORMER WINDOWS: Roofs of dormers shall be of the same type
of construction and have roof covering of the same class as required
for the roof of the building on which they are located. The walls
of dormers shall be constructed of materials having the same fire-
resistance rating as required for nonbearing exterior walls of the
building on which they are located; except that in buildings of con-
struction types 3A, 33, 3C and 4A, the walls may be constructed of
combustible framing provided that the outside face of the framing
is protected with noncombustible sheathing and the aggregate area
of all such dormer walls, including openings therein, does not ex-
ceed twenty (20) percent of the roof area.
927.7 WATER TANKS.
927.71 SUPPORTS: Water tanks having a capacity of more than five
hundred (500) gallons placed in or on a building for the storage of
potable water supplies and for use in the building services includ-
ing air conditioning and fire prevention purposes, shall be supported
on masonry, reinforced concrete, steel or other approved noncombus-
tible framing or on timber conforming to heavy timber mill construc-
tion (type 3-A) ; provided that when such supports are located within
the building, they shall be fire-protected as required for fireproof
(type 1-A) construction.
9-39
911.11 EMERGENCY DISCHARGE: A pipe or outlet shall be located in
the bottom, or in the side close to the bottom, or the tank shall
be fitted with a quick-opening valve to enable the contents to be
discharged in an emergency to a suitable drain complying with the
Massachusetts State Plumbing Code.
927.73 LOCATION: No tank shall be located over or near a stairway
or elevator shaft unless a solid roof or floor deck of the necessary
strength is constructed underneath the tank.
927.74 TANK COVER: All unenclosed roof tanks exposed to the weather
shall have approved covers sloping toward the outer edges.
927.75 HOOP AND STRAP PROTECTION: When metal hoops are used in the
construction of wood tanks, they shall be protected with acceptable
corrosion-resistive coatings or shall be manufactured from approved
corrosion-resistive alloys.
927.8 COOLING TOWERS:
927.81 LOCATED IN FIRE DISTRICTS: Within Fire District Nos. 1 and
2, cooling towers erected on the roofs of buildings shall be construc-
ted of noncombustible materials, except that drip bars may be of wood.
927.82 LOCATED OUTSIDE FIRE DISTRICTS: Outside the fire limits, cool-
ing towers may be constructed of wood or other approved materials of
similar combustible characteristics; except that when the base of the
tower is more than fifty-five (55) feet above grade and the tower is
located on a building, the drip bars only may be fabricated of combus-
tible materials as herein provided.
927.9 MISCELLANEOUS ROOF STRUCTURES: Except as herein specifically
provided, all towers, spires, dormers or cupolas shall be erected of
the type of construction and f ireresistance rating required for the
building to which they are accessory as regulated by tables 2-5 and
2-6; except that when the height of such appurtenant structures ex-
ceeds eighty-five (85) feet above grade or when the area at any hori-
zontal section of the tower, spire, dormer or cupola exceeds two hun-
dred (200) square feet or when it is used for any purpose other than
as a belfry or architectural embellishment, the structure and its sup-
ports shall be of fireproof (type 1) construction or noncombustible
(type 2) construction. Radio and television towers and antennae shall
be constructed to comply with section 421.0.
SECTION 928.0 ROOF COVERINGS
All approved roof coverings shall be classified as A, B, or C on the
basis of their resistance to fire exposure as listed in the reference
standards of this article.
928.1 EXISTING ROOFS: The repair of existing roofs shall comply with
the provisions of section 106 but in no case shall more than twenty-five
(25) per cent of the roof covering of any building be replaced in a
9-40
period of twelve (12) months unless the entire roof covering is made
to conform to the requirements for new roofing.
928.2 WITHIN THE FIRE LIMITS: Within the limits of Fire District
Nos. 1 and 2, all roof coverings shall be of asbestos, brick, con-
crete, metal, slate, tile, prepared asphalt felt or laminated felt
roofing finished with asphalt, slag, gravel or similar noncombus-
tible, moisture-resistant materials or approved combinations of
materials, complying with the requirements of section 903.4 for
class A, B, or C roof coverings or their approved equivalent.
928.3 OUTSIDE FIRE LIMITS: Roof coverings which are classfied as
non-rated roofing under section 903.4 and the approved rules including
wood shingles and handsplit shakes as specified in section 853.72
shall be deemed to meet the requirements for use on all one- and two-
family dwellings of frame (type 4-B) construction, not exceeding two
(2) stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height and four thousand (4000)
square feet in area when the distance of the building from any other
building is not less than twelve (12) feet; and on private garages
or airplane hangars and structures for similar accessory uses out-
side the fire limits and in Fire District No. 2, located on the same
lot with a dwelling, not exceeding one (1) story or twenty-five (25)
feet in height and twenty-five hundred (2500) square feet in area and
with a fire separation of not less than twelve (12) feet; and on stor-
age buildings of moderate or low fire hazard (use groups B-1 and B-2)
not exceeding one (1) story or twenty-five (25) feet in height and
six thousand (6000) square feet in area when separated not less than
twenty (20) feet from any other building.
928.4 ROOF DECKING AND SHEATHING.
928.41 COMBUSTIBLE DECKING: Unless attached directly to noncombus-
tible framework, all roof coverings shall be applied to a closely fit-
ted deck; except as provided in section 853.72 for wood shingles and
hand sp 1 i t shake s .
928.42 FIRE AND PARTY WALL RESTRICTIONS: No wood planking, sheath-
ing, or other combustible decking when used in roof construction shall
extend through or over any party wall or fire wall or across any lot
line.
928.5 ROOF INSULATION: The use of cork, fiber board and other com-
bustible roof insulation shall be permitted provided it is covered
with approved roof coverings directly applied thereto.
928.6 GROUNDING OF METAL ROOFS: Whenever, because of hazard resulting
from electrical equipment or apparatus located thereon, or because of
proximity to power lines, or for any other reason, it is deemed neces-
sary by the building official, metal roofs shall be grounded by bond-
ing together each course strip and the bonding conductor or conductors
shall be extended to and attached in an approved manner to the ground-
ing electrode used to ground the electrical system within the building
on which such metal roofing is applied . The conductors used to bond
9-41
courses or strips of metal roofing together, or any conductor extended
for grounding to the grounding electrode, shall have no greater elec-
trical system within the building.
928.61 ALTERNATE METHODS OF GROUNDING METAL ROOFING: Alternate meth-
ods of grounding metal roofing may be used provided they are at least
equal in performance to the methods prescribed herein, and further
provided that such desired method is first submitted to and approved
by the building official.
9-42
Reference
AIA 1968
ASTM E 84 1970
ASTM E 108
ASTM E 119
ASTM E 136
ASTM E 152
ASTM E 163
AWPA C 20
AWPA C 27
1965
1970
1970
NFPA No. 80 1973
NFPA No. 701 1969
U.S. No. 191 1968
Federal
Test Method Standard
ULI Standard Test 1960
Method , Sub-
ject 723
ULI Standard Sub- 1965
ject 10 (a)
ULI Standard 555 1970
Federal Specification
SSA 00118 C 1960
NFPA 703
FMED
Standards - Article 9
Fireresistance Ratings
Standard Method of Test for Surface
Burning Characteristics of Building
Materials
1970 Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Roof
Coverings
1973 Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Build-
ing Construction and Materials
1965 Method of Test for Determining Noncombus-
tibility of Elementary Materials
1972 Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door
Assemblies
Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Window
Assemblies
Structural Lumber - Fireretardant Treat-
ment by Pressure Processes
Plywood - Fireretardant Treatment by
Pressure Processes
Installation of Fire Doors and Windows
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame-
resistant Textiles and Films
Method 5190 Textile Test - Burning Rate
of Cloth; 30 degree angle
Test Method for Fire Hazard Classifica-
tion of Building Materials
Tin-Clad Fire Doors and Shutters
Fire Dampers
Flameresistance Tests - Acoustical Units,
Prefabricated
1971 Fireretardant Treatment of Building Materials
Prevention and Spread of Fire Approved Fire
Protection Equipment and Building Materials
9-43
ARTICLE 10
CHIMNEYS, FLUES AND VENT PIPES
SECTION 1000.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall control the design and construc-
tions of all chimneys and vents hereafter erected or altered in all
buildings and structures.
1000.1 OTHER STANDARDS: Unless otherwise specifically provided here-
in, conformity to the applicable standards for chimney construction
and gas vents shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this Code.
1000.11 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REQUIREMENTS: Gas vents re-
quired for appliances or equipment using fuel gases of any kind such
as natural gas, manufactured gas, undiluted liquified petroleum gases,
liquified petroleum gas-air mixtures, or mixtures of any of these
gases shall comply with the requirements of the Massachusetts Code
for Installation of Gas Appliances and Gas Piping, established under
Chapter 737, Acts of 1960.
1000.2 MINOR REPAIRS: Minor repairs for the purpose of maintenance
and upkeep which do not increase the capacity of heating apparatus or
appliances or which do not involve structural changes in the permanent
chimney and gas vents of a building may be made without a permit.
SECTION 1001.0 DEFINITIONS
CHIMNEY: A primarily vertical enclosure containing one or more pas-
sageways, (see section 1005.0).
-FACTORY-BUILT CHIMNEYS: a chimney that is factory-made, listed by
an accredited authoritative testing agency, for venting gas appli-
ances, gas incinerators, and solid or liquid fuel burning appliances.
-MASONRY CHIMNEY: a field constructed chimney built in accordance
with nationally recognized codes or standards.
-METAL CHIMNEY: a chimney made of metal of adequate thickness, (see
section 1009.0) galvanized or painted unless suitably corrosion-
resistant, properly welded or riveted and built in accordance with
nationally recognized codes or standards.
-CHIMNEY CONNECTOR: a pipe or breaching which connects the heating
appliance to the chimney.
DRAFT HOOD: a device placed in and made part of the vent connector
from an appliance, or in the appliance itself, which is designed to
(1) insure the ready escape of the products of combustion in the event
of no draft, back-draft or stoppage beyond the draft hood; (2) prevent
a back-draft from entering the appliances; (3) neutralize the effect
of stack action of the chimney flue upon the operations of the appliance.
10-1
DRAFT REGULATOR: a device which functions to maintain a desired draft
in the appliance by automatically reducing the draft to the desired
value.
DUCT: a tube, pipe conduit or continuous enclosed passageway used
for conveying of air, gases or vapors.
FLEXIBLE TUBING: a gas conduit other than that formed by a continu-
ous one-piece metal tube.
FORCED AND INDUCED DRAFT FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES: fuel burning ap-
pliances listed as exhausting low temperature fuel gases and listed
for use with type L venting systems,
GAS VENTS: type B. Listed factory-made gas vents for venting listed
or approved appliances, equipped to burn only gas, except those spe-
cifically listed for use with chimneys only.
GAS VENTS: type B-W. Listed factory-made gas vents for venting listed
or approved gasfired vented recessed heaters.
GAS VENTS: type C. Vents constructed of sheet copper not less than
No. 24 U.S. standard gage or galvanized steel of not less than No.
20 U.S. standard gage, or other approved noncombustible corrosion-
resistant materials.
GAS VENTS: type L. Low-Temperature, Venting Systems. A venting sys-
tem consisting of listed factory made piping and fittings for use
with fuel burning appliances listed as exhausting low temperature
flue gases and approved for use with a type L venting system.
HOOD: a canopy or similar device connected to a duct for the removal
of heat, fumes or gases.
METAL CHIMNEY (smokestack) (see chimney)
VENT: a passageway, vertical or nearly so, for removing vent gases
to the outer air.
VENT CONNECTOR: (vent connector pipe.) that portion of the vent sys-
tem which connects the gas appliance to the gas vent or chimney.
VENT SYSTEM: the gas vent or chimney and vent connector, if used,
assembled to form a continuous unobstructed passageway from the gas
appliance to the outside atmosphere for the purpose of removing vent
gases.
SECTION 1002.0 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The structural plans and specifications shall describe in sufficient
detail, the location, size and construction of all chimneys, gas vents
and ducts and their connections to boilers, furnaces and fireplaces.
The thickness and character of all insulation materials, clearances
from walls, partitions and ceilings and proximity of heating devices
10-2
and equipment to wall openings and exitways shall be clearly shovm and
described.
1002.1 METHODS OF VENTING: Chimney or gas vent systems shall be so
engineered and constructed as to develop a positive flow adequate
to remove all flue gases to the outside atmosphere.
1002.2 ENGINEERED VENT SYSTEM: The requirements specified in the
following sections: 1003.0 through 1012.0 shall not necessarily
govern where standard engineering methods have been used to design
the chimney or vent system.
SECTION 1003.0 PERFORMANCE TEST AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
The building official may require a test or tests of any chimney
or gas vent to insure fire safety and the removal of smoke products
of combustion.
1003.1 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA: The system shall be accepted if the
following three (3) conditions are fulfilled:
1) there shall be no continuous spillage at the draft hood when
any one or combination of appliances connected to the system
is in operation;
2) temperature on adjacent combustible surfaces shall not be
raised more than the limits acceptable to approved testing
agency ; and
3) condensation shall not be developed in a way that would
cause deterioration of the vent or drip from joints or
bottom end of vent.
1003.11 APPROVED INSTALLATIONS: Factory-built chimneys and gas
vents which have been tested and approved by an approved testing
agency shall be accepted as complying with the requirements of item
2 of section 1003.1 when installed in accordance with their speci-
fied clearances.
SECTION 1004.0 KINDS OF CHIMNEYS
CHIMNEYS AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS:
1) factory-built chimney.
2) masonry chimneys.
3) metal chimneys (smokestacks) .
SECTION 1005.0 APPLIANCES REQUIRING CHIMNEYS
All heating appliances shall be connected to chimneys which conform
to the provisions of this article. Chimneys shall be used for venting
the following types of appliances :
10-3
1) incinerators, except as noted in section 1005.1;
2) appliances which may be converted readily to use solid or
liquid fuels;
3) combination gas-oil burning appliances;
4) appliances listed for use with chimneys only;
5) oil-fired appliances and equipment except as exempted in
section 1011.
1005.1 EXCEPTION: Metal pipe not less than No. 20 U.S. standard gage
galvanized steel or other equivalent noncombustible corrosion-resistant
material may be used for venting incinerators installed in locations
such as open sheds, breezeways , or carports, provided the metal pipe
is exposed and readily examinable for its full length and suitable
clearances are maintained .
SECTION 1006.0 EXISTING BUILDINGS
1006.1 RAISING EXISTING CHIMNEYS: Whenever a building is hereafter
erected, enlarged or increased in height so that a wall along an ex-
terior lot line, or within three (3) feet thereof, extends above the
top of an existing chimney or gas vent of an adjoining existing build-
ing, the owner of the building so erected, enlarged or increased in
height shall carry up at his own expense, with the consent of the ad-
joining property owner, either independently, or in his own building,
all chimneys connected to liquid or solid fuel burning appliances.
Gas vents within six (6) feet of any portion of the wall of such ad-
joining building shall be extended two (2) feet above the roof or
parapet of the adjoining building.
1006.2 SIZE OF EXTENDED CHIMNEYS: The construction of an extended
chimney shall conform to the requirements of this article for new
chimneys, but in no case shall the internal area of such extension
be less than that of the existing chimney.
1006.3 NOTICE OF ADJOINING OWNER: It shall be the duty of the owner
of the building which is erected, enlarged or increased in height to
notify in writing and to secure the consent of the owner of existing
chimneys affected, at least ten (10) days before starting such work.
1006.4 EXISTING CHIMNEYS: No existing chimney, except one which does
not endanger the fire safety of a building or structure and is accept-
able to the building official, shall be continued in use unless it con-
forms to all requirements of this article for new chimneys.
1006.5 CLEANOUTS AND MAINTENANCE: Whenever a new chimney is completed
or an existing chimney is altered, it shall be cleaned and left smooth
on the inside. If the chimney is constructed of masonry or tile the
interior mortar joints must be left smooth and flush. Cleanouts or
other approved devices shall be provided at the base of all chimneys
to enable the passageways to be maintained and cleaned.
10-4
SECTION 1007.0 FACTORY-BUILT CHIMNEYS
1007.1 FACTORY-BUILT CHIMNEYS: Factory-built chimneys that have been
tested and certified by an approved agency shall be installed in accor-
dance with the clearance and details of their approval and the manu-
facturer's instructions.
SECTION 1008.0 MASONRY CHIMNEY
1008.1 CLASSIFICATION: For the purpose of determining the require-
ments for the construction of a masonry chimney, chimneys shall be
classified according to the following subsections.
1008.11 LOW TEMPERATURE: Chimneys constructed to safely remove prod-
ucts of combustion having a temperature not more than one thousand
(1000) degrees F., and for use only with residential heating appli-
ances, low temperature heat producing appliances and low-heat indus-
trial appliances, shall be classified as low temperature chimneys.
1008.12 MEDIUM TEMPERATURE: Chimneys constructed to safely remove
products of combustion having a temperature not more than two thou-
sand (2000) degrees F., and for use with medium-heat or low-heat
industrial appliances, shall be classified as medium temperature
chimneys .
1008.13 HIGH TEMPERATURE: Chimneys constructed to safely remove prod-
ucts of combustion having temperatures over two thousand (2000) degrees
F., and for use with high-heat, or other industrial appliances, shall
be classified as high temperature chimneys.
1008.2 MASONRY CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION.
1008.21 MASONRY CHIMNEYS: Masonry chimneys for solid and liquid fuel-
fired equipment and appliances shall be constructed of masonry, rein-
forced concrete, or other approved noncombustible materials; and may
be erected as free standing or as constituting an integral part of a
wall, or may be enclosed within a structure without constituting a com-
ponent part thereof. In every case a chimney shall be wholly supported
on fireresistive construction or on approved foundations complying with
article 7 and shall not be designed to support any direct load other
than its own weight.
1008.3 LOW TEMPERATURE CHIMNEYS.
1008.31 SOLID MASONRY: When constructed of solid masonry, the walls
shall be not less than eight (8) inches thick, except as herein pro-
vided in dwellings and small business buildings.
1008.32 REINFORCED CONCRETE: When constructed of reinforced concrete
the walls shall be not less than six (6) inches thick, except as pro-
vided for dwellings.
10-5
1008.33 DWELLINGS: In residential buildings (use groups L-2 and
L-3) , the walls of a chimney in which the area of the flue is not
more than two hundred (200) square inches may be of solid masonry
or reinforced concrete not less than four (4) inches thick when
provided with a fire clay lining.
1008.34 LINING: Low temperature masonry chimneys with less than
eight (8) inch walls shall be lined with an approved flue lining that
conforms to the requirements of this section and the outside face of
interior walls shall be smoothly parged or stuccoed so as to be gas
tight, or the flue walls within the building shall be eight (8) in-
ches thick.
1008.35 FLUE LINING MATERIALS: Flue linings shall be made of fire
clay or other approved refractory materials other than shale, capable
of withstanding the action of flue gases and of resisting the temper-
atures to which they are subjected but not less than two thousand
(2000) degrees F. without softening or cracking. The thickness of
the shell of flue linings shall be not less than five-eighth (5/8)
inches .
1008.36 FLUE LINING CONSTRUCTION: Flue linings shall be constructed
in advance of the chimney and shall start from a point less than eighteen
(18) inches below the inlet of the smokepipe or throat of a fireplace.
The lining shall be constructed as nearly vertical as possible and shall
extend not less than four (4) inches above the top or cap of the flue.
1008.4 MEDIUM TEMPERATURE CHIMNEYS.
1008.41 SOLID MASONRY: When constructed of solid masonry, the walls
shall be not less than eight (8) inches thick and shall be lined as
provided in this section.
1008.42 REINFORCED CONCRETE: When constructed of reinforced concrete
the walls shall be not less than six (6) inches thick with approved
lining.
1008.43 LINING: Medium temperature masonry chimneys shall be lined
with not less than four and one-half (4^5) inches of fire brick laid
up in fire clay mortar from at least two (2) feet below to not less
than twenty-five (25) feet above inlet opening to the chimney; or the
walls shall be of double-wall construction with an Intervening air
space of not less than two (2) inches.
1008.5 HIGH TEMPERATURE CHIMNEYS: All high temperature masonry chim-
neys shall be built with double masonry or double reinforced concrete
walls, each of the same thickness required for medium temperature chim-
meys, with an intervening air space of not less than two (2) inches;
or of a single wall with an interior wall of double-wall construction
shall be of fire brick at least four and one-half (^h) inches thick
laid in fire clay or approved high temperature cement mortar; and the
interior metal chimney shall be lined as specified in section 1009.5
10-6
1008.6 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
1008.61 CHIMNEY HEIGHT: All chimneys shall extend at least three (3)
feet above the adjacent roof, and at least two (2) feet above any roof
ridge within ten (10) feet thereof. If the height above the roof is
more than four (4) times the minimum dimension, the chimney shall be
braced and anchored to the roof framing.
1008.62 CHIMNEY CAPS: All masonry chimneys shall be capped with con-
crete, terra cotta tile or other approved noncombustible weatherproof
material; or a sloped wash shall be provided from the outside of the
chimney to the projecting lining specified in section 1008.36.
1008.63 CHIMNEY SUPPORTS: All masonry chimneys shall rest on a foun-
dation located on permanently undisturbed soil or shall be supported
on fireresistive construction; and no such chimney shall rest on or be
hung or otherwise supported from combustible floor or wall construction
except as provided in section 1007.0 No masonry chimney shall be cor-
beled from hollow or cavity wall construction, nor from a wall built to
hollow masonry units; and the corbeling of chimneys shall conform to the
requirements of section 839.1. Masonry chimneys erected outside of frame
dwellings shall be anchored to the stud walls at each floor level or at
vertical intervals of not more than ten (10) feet.
1008.64 CLEARANCES: Combustible framing shall be trimmed away from
all flues and chimneys, and no combustible material shall be placed within
two (2) inches of any chimney, nor within six (6) inches of any inlet
opening to such chimney. Finished flooring shall have not less than
one-half (h) inch clearance from the chimney walls.
1008.65 SIZE: The passageway within the chimney shall be ascertained
to be open to the exterior and shall be of adequate size to remove all
the products of combustion of the appliances attached thereto.
1008.66 THICKNESS AND SHAPE: For chimneys larger than one hundred and
twenty (120) square inches, except as specified in section 1008.33, the
walls shall be not less than eight (8) inches thick in any case. No
change in the size or shape of a chimney shall be made within six (6)
inches of the roof framing through which it passes.
SECTION 1009.0 METAL CHIMNEYS
1009.1 THICKNESS OF METAL.
1009.11 EXTERIOR METAL CHIMNEYS: Exterior metal chimneys shall be of
adequate thickness to resist all wind stresses specified in article 7
but shall be not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch thick for diameters
up to three (3) feet, three-sixteenths (3/16) inch thick for diameters
up to four (4) feet and not less than one-quarter (k) inch thick for
larger diameters .
1009.12 INTERIOR METAL CHIMNEYS: Interior metal chimneys shall be con-
structed of metal not less than No. 16 U.S. gage for areas not more than
one hundred and fifty-five (155) square inches; No. 14 U.S. gage for
10-7
areas not more than two hundred (200) square inches; No. 12 U.S. gage
for areas not more than two hundred and fifty-five (255) square inches;
and not less than No. 10 U.S. gage for greater areas. |
1009.2 CONSTRUCTION: All metal chimneys shall be riveted or welded
construction and all exterior metal chimneys shall be securely guyed,
braced, anchored and supported. They shall be galvanized, painted
with an approved paint, or constructed of approved corrosion-resistive
alloys .
1009.3 OPENING: A cleanout shall be provided at the base of every
metal chimney.
1009.4 METAL CHIMNEY FOUNDATION: A metal chimney erected on the ex-
terior of a building or structure shall be supported on an independent
substantial masonry or reinforced concrete foundation. Interior metal
chimneys may be supported on fireproof (type 1-A) construction at in-
termediate levels.
1009.5 HIGH TEMPERATURE LINING: When metal or masonry chimneys are
used to remove high temperature combustion gases they shall be lined
with four and one-half i^h) inches of fire brick laid in fire clay
mortar. Such lining shall extend at least twenty-five (25) feet above
the smokepipe entrance .
1009.6 HEIGHT OF METAL CHIMNEY: All metal chimneys shall extend to
a height of not less than four (4) feet above any roof within twenty-
five (25) feet, or any roof ridge within ten (10) feet horizontally
thereof, except as provided in section 1014 for high temperature chimneys.
1009.7 METAL CHIMNEY CLEARANCES: Every metal chimney or part thereof
erected on the exterior of a building, shall have a clearance from a
wall of frame or combustible construction of not less than twenty-four
(24) inches and of not less than four (4) inches if the wall is of non-
combustible construction. No such stack shall be located less than twenty-fou
(24) inches in any direction from a wall opening or required exitway,
or fire escape.
1009.8 INTERIOR METAL CHIMNEY ENCLOSURES: Every interior metal chimney
or part thereof, erected within a multi-story building shall be enclosed
with walls of not less than three (3) hours f ireresistance in all stories
above that in which the appliance served thereby is located. Where the
metal chimney passes through a combustible roof, it shall be guarded by
a galvanized metal or other approved noncombustible, ventilating thimble
that extends at least nine (9) inches below and above the roof construc-
tion. The thimbles shall be of a size to provide clearance on all sides
of the metal chimney of not less than six (6) inches for low heat appli-
ance and not less than eighteen (18) inches for medium and high heat ap-
pliances as defined in article 11, unless the metal chimney is insulated
and protected to prevent a temperature of more than two hundred and fifty
(250) degrees F. on the exterior surface.
10-8
1009.9 PROHIBITED LOCATION: No interior metal chimney shall be car-
ried up inside a ventilating duct unless such ducts are constructed
as required by this article for metal chimneys; and only when such
duct is used solely for venting the room or space in which the appliance
served by the metal chimney is located. Metal chimneys shall not be
installed in air supply ducts.
SECTION 1010.0 CHIMNEY CONNECTOR (SMOKEPIPES)
The chimney connector from every heating appliance, except for vent
connectors from gas-fired appliances, shall connect to a chimney con-
forming to the provision of article 10.
1010.1 CHIMNEY CONNECTORS: Chimney connectors shall be constructed
of galvanized iron, or other approved noncombustible, corrosion-re-
sistive materials having a melt point of not less than two thousand
(2000) degrees F. No other pipe shall be used as a chimney connector.
1010.2 THICKNESS OF METAL: The minimum thickness of metal for chim-
ney connectors shall comply with the requirements of section 1017 for
vent construction.
1010.3 LENGTH OF CHIMNEY CONNECTOR: All chimney connectors shall be
as short and as straight as possible consistent with their use and the
required draft conditions. No chimney connector shall pass through a
floor or ceiling construction.
1010.4 CHIMNEY CONNECTION: In entering a passageway in a masonry or
metal chimney, the chimney connector shall be installed above the ex-
treme bottom to avoid stoppage. Means shall be employed which will
prevent the chimney connector from entering so far as to restrict the
space between its end and the opposite wall of the chimney. The chim-
ney connector shall be firmly attached or inserted into a thimble or
slip joint to prevent it from falling out. All connections shall fit
tightly. Chimney connections to any one passageway shall be limited
to one floor, except as provided in section 1002.2.
1010.5 NUMBER OF CHIMNEY CONNECTORS: Two (2) or more chimney con-
nectors may be joined to a single connection provided that the chim-
ney connectors are on one floor level and the passageway is of suf-
ficient size to serve all of the appliances thus connected.
1010.6 CHIMNEY CONNECTOR CLEARANCES.
1010.61 FROM COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: Unless a chimney connector
is covered on the exterior with at least one (1) inch of approved
insulating noncombustible material, the following clearances shall
be maintained from all combustible material or construction:
Diameter Clearance
Inches Inches
0-12 12
12-36 20
More than 36 36
10-9
1010.62 REDUCED CLEARANCES: The clearances specified herein may be
reduced one-half (h) when an approved metal or other approved noncom-
bustible enclosing shell is installed so as to provide a continuous
one (1) inch ventilated air space around the chimney connector with
access openings for inspecting purposes; or the exposed combustible
construction shall be protected with metal or other noncombustible
materials as provided in section 1112. In no case shall the chimney
connector of a medium or high heat appliance pass through any wall or
partition of combustible construction.
1010.7 LOW HEAT CHIMNEY CONNECTOR CLEARANCE: Chimney connectors from
a low heat appliance may pass through combustible walls or partitions
when protected at the point of passage by approved thimbles, fire-stopped
with noncombustible material; or when such partition is constructed to
afford a f ireresistance of not less than three-quarter (3/4) hours for
a distance corresponding to the required clearance in section 1010.6
with noncombustible materials.
1010.8 CONNECTIONS TO INCINERATOR CHIMNEY: The chimney connector of a
heating appliance shall not be connected to the flue of an incinerator
which has a rubbish chute identical with the flue.
SECTION 1011.0 VENT SYSTEMS
For the purpose of determining vent requirements, oil-fired appliances
shall be classified as "listed" or "unlisted". A listed appliance is
one that is shown in a list published by an approved testing agency,
qualified and equipped for experimental testing of such appliances, and
maintaining an adequate periodic inspection of current production of
listed models and whose listing states either that the appliance or
accessory complies with nationally recognized safety requirements or
has been tested and found safe for use in a specific manner. Compli-
ance may be detennined by the presence on the appliance or accessory
of a label of the testing agency stating that the appliance or acces-
sory complies with nationally recognized safety requirements. An un-
listed appliance or accessory is one that is not shown on such a list
or does not bear such a label. In cases where no applicable standard
has been developed for a given class of appliance or accessory, approval
of the authority having jurisdiction should be obtained before the appli-
ance or accessory is installed.
1011.1 APPLIANCES REQUIRED TO BE VENTED: Appliances of the following
types shall be connected to a listed venting system or provided with
other means for exhausting the flue gases to the outside atmosphere:
a) central heating appliances, including steam and hot water
boilers, warm air furnaces, floor furnaces, and vented
recessed heaters;
b) duct furnaces and self-contained unit heaters;
c) all water heaters;
d) room heaters listed for vented use only as required in
section 1011.2;
10-10
e) appliances equipped with gas conversion burners;
f ) appliances which have draft hoods supplied by the appliance
manufacturer ;
g) unlisted appliances.
1011.2 EXEMPTION: Connections to vent systems shall not be required
for electric, gas and industrial appliances of such size or character
that the absence of such connection does not constitute a hazard to
the fire safety of the building or its occupants. The following ap-
pliances are not required to be vented:
a) listed gas ranges;
b) built-in domestic cooking units listed and marked as unvented
units;
c) listed hot plates and listed laundry stoves;
d) listed domestic clothes dryers;
e) listed gas refrigerators;
f) counter appliances;
g) other appliances listed for unvented use and not provided
with flue collars;
h) specialized equipment of limited input such as laboratory
burners or gas lights.
When any or all of the appliances listed in items 5, 6, 7, and 8
above are installed so that the aggregate input rating exceeds thirty
(30) B.T.U. per hour per cubic foot of room or space in which they
are installed, one or more of them shall be vent-connected or pro-
vided with approved means for exhausting the vent gases to the out-
side atmosphere so that the aggregate input rating of the remaining
unvented appliances does not exceed thirty (30) B.T.U. per hour per
cubic foot of room or space in which they are installed. Where the
room or space in which they are installed is directly connected to
another room or space by a doorway, arch, or other opening of com-
parable size, which cannot be closed, the volume of such adjacent
room or space may be included in the calculations.
1011.3 TYPES OF VENTS.
1011.31 TYPE L LOW-TEMPERA.TURE VENTING SYSTEMS: Type L low-tempera-
ture venting systems shall be used only with fuel burning appliances
listed as exhausting low-temperature flue gases and listed for use
with Type L low-temperature venting systems. Type L low-temperature
venting systems shall be installed in accordance with the terms of
their listing and manufacturer's instructions.
1011.32 VENTILATING HOODS: Ventilating hoods and exhaust systems
may be used to vent commercial appliances.
1011.33 CHIMNEYS: Chimneys shall be constructed in accordance with
the requirement of article 10.
1011.34 EXISTING CHIMNEYS: Where an existing masonry chimney is
unlined and where local experience indicates that vent gas condensate
will be a problem , an approved liner or another vent shall be installed.
10-11
Where inspection reveals that an existing chimney is not safe for
the intended application it shall be rebuilt to confonn to the re-
quirement of this code, or relined with a suitable liner or replaced
with a gas vent or chimney suitable for the appliances to be attached.
1011.35 CLEANOUTS: Cleanouts shall be of such construction that
they will remain tightly closed when not in use. Tee fittings used
as cleanouts or condensate drains shall have tight fitting caps to
prevent entrance of air into the chimney or gas vent at that point.
1011.4 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS.
1011.41 SIZE OF VENTS: The gas vent or chimney when connected to a
single appliance shall not be less than the size of the draft hood
outlet.
When more than one appliance is connected to a gas vent or chimney,
the area shall be not less than the area of the largest vent connec-
tor plus fifty (50) percent of the areas of additional vent connectors.
In lieu of the above, the gas vent or chimney may be sized in accor-
dance with section 1002.2. /
Any shape gas vent may be used provided its venting capacity is
equal to the capacity of round pipe for which it is substituted and
the minimum internal dimension of the gas vent is not less than two
(2) inches.
1011.42 GAS VENT TERMINATION: The gas vent or chimney shall extend
high enough above the building or other neighboring obstruction so
that wind from any direction will not create a positive pressure in
the vicinity of the gas vent or chimney termination. Except as pro-
vided in section 1008.61, gas vents or chimneys shall extend at least
two (2) feet above the highest point where they pass through a roof
of a building and at least two (2) feet higher than any portion of a
building within ten (10) feet; provided the following conditions are
met:
a) no gas vent or chimney shall terminate less than four (4)
feet in vertical height above the highest connected appliance
draft hood outlet or flue collar.
1011.43 EXCEPTION: A listed gas vent equipped with a listed or
approved top may be terminated below the peak of a pitched roof in
accordance with the terms of the listing or approval.
1011.44 TOP ASSEMBLY: Gas vents and factory-built chimneys shall
extend above the roof surface and through the flashing and shall
terminate in a top or roof assembly with a venting capacity not less
than that of the vent. The top shall prevent rain and debris from
entering the vent.
10-12
1011.45 SUPPORT OF GAS VENTS: All portions of gas vents and chim-
neys shall be adequately supported for weight and design of materials
employed. Listed gas vents and factory-built chimneys shall be sup-
ported and spaced in accordance with their listings and manufacturer's
instructions and section 1007, 1008 and 1009.
1011.46 OUTSIDE GAS VENTS.
1011.47 MATERIALS: Outside gas vents and chimneys shall not be used
in exposed locations except when permitted by the building official.
When they are permitted to be used, the material shall possess high
insulation qualities or be adequately insulated.
1011.48 CONDENSATE DRAIN: Where local experience with gas vent ma-
terials indicates that the condensate may be a problem, a capped tee
and drain pipe shall be installed at the base of the riser to drain
off condensate.
1011.5 PROHIBITED INSTALLATIONS.
1011.51 PROHIBITED TERMINATION: Natural draft vents extending through
outside walls shall not terminate below eaves adjacent to such walls or
parapets.
1011.52 UNVENTED ROOM HEATERS PROHIBITED: Unvented room heaters are
prohibited in accordance with Chapter 688 of the Acts of 1962 of the
General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 1012.0 FIREPLACES
1012.1 CONSTRUCTION: The back and jambs of fireplaces shall be con-
structed of solid masonry or reinforced concrete not less than eight
(8) inches thick, with a lining of fire brick, soapstone, cast iron
or other approved noncombustible material not less than two (2) inches
thick. Such lining may be omitted when the solid masonry or reinforced
concrete is not less than twelve (12) inches thick, or the equivalent
insulation is provided integrally in approved heating equipment or
firing devices installed in the fireplaces. In one- and two-family
dwellings (use group L-3) , when approved steel fireplace units which
are equipped with an air circulating chamber are installed integrally
with the fireplace construction, the back and jambs of the fireplace
construction, the back and jambs of the fireplace may be reduced to
four (4) inches of approved masonry.
1012.2 HEARTH: Every fireplace shall be constructed with a hearth of
brick, stone, tile or other noncombustible material. For fireplaces
with an opening of less than six (6) square feet the hearth shall ex-
tend not less than sixteen (16) inches in front and not less than eight
(8) inches on each side of the fireplace opening. For fireplaces with
an opening of six (6) square feet or more the hearth shall extend not
less than twenty (20) inches in front and not less than twelve (12)
inches on each side of the fireplace opening. Such hearths shall be
supported on trimmer arches of brick, stone, tile or concrete not less
10-13
than four (4) inches thick, or other equally strong and f ireresistive
materials. All combustible forms or centering shall be removed after
completion of the supporting construction.
1012.3 FIREPLACE DAMPER: Every fireplace shall be equipped with an
approved damper.
1012.4 FIREPLACE CLEARANCES.
1012.41 FLOOR FRAMING: All header and trimmer beams of combustible
floor construction shall be located at least four (4) inches from the
face of chimneys and backs of fireplaces and the spaces shall be fire-
stopped with approved noncombustible materials.
1012.42 COMBUSTIBLE TRIM: Wood or other combustible material shall
not be installed on or about a fireplace less than six (6) inches from
the fireplace opening; and combustible materials, located within the
twelve (12) inch boundary of the opening shall not project more than
one-eighth (1/8) inch from the face of the masonry for each one (1)
inch distance from the opening.
1012.5 FIREPLACE HEATERS: No heater shall be placed in a fireplace
unless it conforms to the requirements of article 11 for such device
and is provided with a flue; except an electric heater which is ex-
empted from vent requirements under the provisions of section 1011.
1012.6 IMITATION FIREPLACES: The depth of an imitation fireplace or
recess for heating equipment shall not be more than six (6) inches,
unless such recess meets all the construction requirements for fire-
places. The surfaces of the recess shall be of masonry or f ireresis-
tive plaster and all combustible materials shall have the clearances
or shall be fire-protected as specified herein. No flue other than
an approved gas vent shall be installed within such imitation fireplaces.
SECTION 1013.0 CUPOLA CHIMNEYS
1013.1 HEIGHT OF CUPOLAS: A chimney or a metal smokestack for a cupola
furnace, blast furnace or similar high heat industrial device shall ex-
tend not less than twenty-five (25) feet above any roof within a radius
of fifty (50) feet and shall be covered on the top with heavy wire net-
ting or other spark arrester as provided in section 1018 .
1013.2 CUPOLA CLEARANCES: No combustible material shall be erected or
placed within three (3) feet of any cupola or other high temperature
chimney .
SECTION 1014.0 FUEL-FIRED INCINERATOR CHIMNEYS
Chimneys for fuel-fired incinerators shall be constructed of at least
four (4) inches of clay or shale brick masonry which is lined with not
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less than four and one-half (^h) inches of firebrick for at least
forty (40) feet above the roof of the combustion chamber; and be-
yond the forty (40) foot level shall be enclosed with not less than
eight (8) inches of clay or brick masonry.
SECTION 1015.0 MISCELLANEOUS INCINERATOR FLUES
1015.1 FLUE ENCLOSURES: All incinerator flues not provided for in
sections 1015 and 1016, including flues for rubbish and waste material
incinerators, shall be enclosed with not less than eight (8) inches of
clay or shale brick masonry, unless otherwise approved by the build-
ing official.
1015.2 CONNECTION TO CHIMNEYS AND STACKS: Nothing in this article
shall prohibit the connection of an incinerator by means of an ap-
proved breeching to a smokestack or chimney flue which serves a heat
appliance; provided the cross-sectional area of such stack or flue is
at least four (4) times that of the incinerator breeching and such
stack or flue and the connection meet the requirements of this ar-
ticle for incinerator flues.
SECTION 1016.0 DUCT AND PIPE SHAFTS
In all buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, vertical
ducts or pipes arranged in groups of two or more which extend through
two (2) or more stories and occupy an area of more than one (1) square
foot shall be enclosed in construction of not less than three-quarter
(3/4) hour fireresistance to comply with section 911.
SECTION 1017.0 CONSTRUCTION OF METAL DUCTS AND VENTS
All metal vents, ducts and duct systems required under the provisions
of articles 10 and 11 for heating systems and equipment, and under the
provisions of articles 5 and 18 for ventilating and air-conditioning
systems shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the re-
quirements of this Code and accepted engineering practice.
1017.1 MATERIAL: Ducts and vents shall be constructed of aluminum,
copper, monel metal, galvanized steel, cement-asbestos or other ap-
proved, noncombustible, corrosion-resistive materials of adequate
strength, durability and for the temperatures involved; and the seams
shall be securely welded or riveted and made substantially air and
gas tight.
1017.2 THICKNESS OF METAL: The weight and thickness of material,
type of joints, connections, bracing and other structural features
shall conform to the approved rules ; but shall be at least equiva-
lent to the minimum thickness prescribed in table 10-1 . Aluminum
shall be of not less than No. 26 B & S gage, copper of not less than
16 ounce sheets, galvanized iron and monel metal of not less than
No. 28 U.S. gage, except as provided for one- and two-family dwell-
ings in table 10-2 .
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TABLE 10-1 - METAL DUCT AND VENT CONSTRUCTION, OTHER THAN DWELLINGS
Minimum thickness
Galvanized Steel Aluminum
Diameter, or diagonal of rectan- U. S. gage B & S gage
gular ducts, dimension in inches number number
Up to 12 28
12 - 20 26
20-30 24
30-48 22
48-60 20
60-90 18
90 and over 16
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
1017.3 ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS.
1017.31 MATERIAL: Warm air supply ducts in heating and air-condi-
tioning systems of one and two-family dwellings shall be constructed
of aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, as specified in table 10-2,
or other approved noncombustible materials of equal strength and
durability.
1017.32 SUPPORTS: All ducts shall be securely supported by metal
or other approved noncombustible straps, hangers, lugs and brackets.
TABLE 10-2 - DUCTS FOR DWELLINGS
Diameter, or diagonal
of rectangular ducts ,
dimensions in inches
Minimum thickness and weight
Tin Galvanized
weight per steel Aluminum
square U. S. gage B & S gage
in pounds number number
Up to 12 IC 107
12-18 IX 135
18 and over IX 135
30
26
28
26
26
24
1017.33 CLEARANCES: Horizontal runs of such ducts shall be located
not less than one (1) inch from adjacent combustible construction un-
less insulated or protected as required in section 1017.4; and ducts
in vertical partitions or concealed ceiling spaces shall be insulated
in all cases with not less than twelve (12) pound asbestos paper
with five-sixteenths (5/16) inch intermediate air space or protected
with one-quarter 0%) inch air-cell asbestos or equivalent.
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1017.4 HIGH TEMPERATURE DUCTS.
1017.41 CONSTRUCTION: A single metal duct for a high temperature sys-
tem which is enclosed in a combustible partition, or in a concealed
ceiling space shall be of double construction with a continuous inter-
vening air space of not less than one (1) inch; or the duct shall be
covered on the exterior with approved noncombustible, insulating ma-
terials not less than one-fourth (h) of an inch thick of air-cell as-
bestos or its equivalent. Approved asbestos cement ducts, not less
than one-quarter (h) inch thick, shall be insulated by an air-space
of not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch. When not insulated, clear-
ances shall comply with section 1011.
1017.42 EXCEPTION: When sufficiently insulated to prevent more than
two hundred and fifty (250) degrees F. temperature on the exterior,
the clearances herein specified shall not be required.
1017.5 DUCT LINING: The lining of high temperature ducts shall be of
approved noncombustible materials.
1017.6 COLD AIR DUCTS: The construction of cold air ducts shall comply
with all the provisions governing warm air supply ducts except as to
heat insulation.
1017.7 FIRESTOPPING: Whenever the passage of ducts in walls, floors
or partitions requires the removal of firestopping, the surrounding
spaces shall be completely filled with approved noncombustible mater-
ials; and the required clearance shall be maintained by a metal thimble
which is filled with approved noncombustible insulating materials, or
closed at both ends with metal collars.
1017.8 DUCTS FROM WARM AIR FURNACES: The clearances of a metal duct
from combustible materials for a distance of six (6) feet from warm
air furnaces shall comply with section 1112. A duct which enters a
floor, wall or partition of combustible construction within six (6)
feet from the furnace shall change direction through an angle of ninety
(90) degrees or more before it enters such floor, wall or shaft and
shall be enclosed with approved fireresistive assemblies as required
in section 1016 for duct shafts.
1017.9 FIRE-CLAY VENTS: Where prohibited for use with gas-fired ap-
pliances, fire-clay vents shall have a thickness of not less than one-
half Qi) inch for an internal diameter of six (6) inches or less and
three-quarter (3/4) inch for an internal diameter of more than six (6)
inches. The joints shall be made gastight with caulked bell and spigot,
sheet metal sleeves or galvanized iron bands of not less than No. 26
U.S. gage, all thoroughly cemented and secured in place with high tem-
perature cement mortar.
10-17
SECTION 1018.0 SPARK ARRESTORS
All chimneys, stacks and flues including incinerator stacks, which
emit sparks that create a fire hazard, shall be provided with a spark
arrestor of approved noncombustible construction in which the maximum
size of mesh shall not exceed three-quarter (3/4) inches. The total
area of spark arrestors shall be not less than four (4) times the flue
area.
10-18
Reference Standards - Article 10
ASTM
C106
1967
ASTM
C178
1958
ASTM
C270
1971
ASTM
C279
1954
ASTM
C315
1972
ASTM
C401
1968
ANSI
A131.1
1971
NFPA
211
1972
ULI
103
1964
ULI
641
1965
ANSI
A62.4
1947
ANSI
Z21.12
1937
Refractories for Incineraotrs
Air Setting Refractory Mortar
Mortar for Unit Masonry
Chemical-Resistant Masonry Units
Clay Flue Linings
Castable Refractories
Factory-Built Chimneys
Chimneys, Fireplaces and Venting
Systems
Factory-Built Chimneys
Testing Standards for Low Temperature
Type L Venting Systems
Sizes of Flue Linings
Listing Requirements for Draft Hoods
10-19
ARTICLE 11
HEATING EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES-
MOUNTING, CLEARANCES AND CONNECTIONS
SECTION 1100.0 SCOPE
The provisions of this article shall control the construction, in-
spection and maintenance of all heating, blower and exhaust systems
in all buildings and structures in respect to structural strength,
fire safety and operation.
1100.1 ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE: All such systems and equip-
ment constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the
applicable standards listed in the reference standards of this ar-
ticle shall be deemed to conform to the provisions of this code.
1100.11 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REGULATIONS: All installa-
tions of gas appliances must comply with the Massachusetts Code for
Installation of Gas Appliances and Gas Piping established under Chap-
ter 737, Acts of 1960. The construction, installation and operation
of oil burning equipment is subject to the provisions of FPR-3, es-
tablished in accordance with Chapter 148, Section 10 of the M.G.L.A,
as amended. The construction, installation, testing and inspection
of boilers, air tanks, ammonia compressor valves, and refrigeration
and air-conditioning systems of five (5) tons or more capacity are
subject to the Rules and Regulations issued by the Board of Boiler
Rules under authority of Chapter 146 of the M.G.L.A., as amended.
1100.2 COOPERATING AGENCIES: Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to nullify the provisions of other legal statutes or regu-
lations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing the opera-
tion and maintenance of boilers and other heating appliances and
equipment .
1100.3 LABELED HEATING AND COOKING APPLIANCES: Approved oil-fired
warm air furnaces, floor furnaces, unit heaters, domestic incinera-
tors, cooking and heating stoves and ranges and other heating equip-
ment, inspected and approved by approved agencies shall be accepted
by the building official when installed with the reduced clearance
and details of installation therein recommended provided they meet
the requirements of this code for fire protection.
1100.4 CLEARANCE FROM COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION: All heating and
cooking appliances shall be installed with adequate clearances from
combustible construction or shall be provided with integral insula-
tion of the appliance of fire-protection of the structural members
so that continued or intermittent operation shall not raise the tem-
perature on the surface of combustible floors, walls or partitions
above two hundred and fifty (250) degrees F.
11-1
SECTION 1101.0 DEFINITIONS
BOILER: a heating appliance intended to supply hot water or steam
for space and heating, processing or power purposes.
FLOOR FURNACE: a self-contained furnace suspended from the floor
of the space which is being heated, with means of observing the
flame and lighting the furnace from such space.
LOW PRESSURE BOILER: a steel or cast iron boiler in which the maxi-
mum allowable gage working pressure is limited to fifteen (15)
pounds per square inch for steam and thirty (30) pounds per square
inch for hot water.
HEATING APPLIANCE: any device designed or constructed for the gen-
eration of heat from solid, liquid or gaseous fuel or electricity.
HIGH PRESSURE BOILER: a boiler in which steam or other vapor to be
used externally to itself , is generated at a pressure of more than
fifteen (15) pounds per square inch gage.
SPACE HEATER (ROOM HEATER) : an above-the-f loor device for direct
heating of the space in and adjacent to that in which the device
is located without external heating pipes or ducts.
UNFIRED PRESSURE VESSEL: a closed metal vessel which contains air,
steam, gas or liquid pressure in excess of fifty (50) pounds per
square inch gage which is supplied from an external source.
UNIT HEATER: an appliance which consists of an integral combination
of heating element and fan within a common enclosure and which is
located within or adjacent to the space to be heated.
WALL HEATER: a unit heater which is supported from or recessed in
the wall of the room or space to be heated .
WARM AIR FURNACE: a solid, liquid or gas-fired appliance for heat-
ing air to be distributed with or without duct systems to the space
to be heated.
MECHANICAL WARM AIR FURNACE: a warm air furnace equipped with a fan
to circulate the air.
SECTION 1102.0 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Plans and specifications for the installation, repair, extension
or removal of any heating appliance herein defined or of a heating,
blower or exhaust system shall be submitted to the building official
and a permit shall be secured prior to the commencement of any in-
stallation, except as herein provided.
1102.1 MATTER COVERED: The plans and specifications shall show in
sufficient detail all pertinent features and clearances of the ap-
pliances and systems including size and type of apparatus, construction
11-2
of flue, stack or chinmey, stack connections, kind of fuel, method of
operation and the method preventing the emission with the products of
combustion of solids and gases detrimental to health.
1102.2 PERMIT: Upon approval of the plans, a permit shall be secured
from the building official before any work Is started on the Instal-
lation; and the permit or a copy thereof shall be posted at the site
at all times during the course of Installation.
SECTION 1103.0 BOILERS AND UNFIRED PRESSURE VESSELS
1103.1 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REGULATIONS: All boilers and
unflred pressure vessels shall be subject to the provisions of Chap-
ter 146 of the M.G.L.A., as amended.
1104.0 SMOKE ABATEMENT: All furnaces and heating appliances fired
with solid or liquid fuels which are subject to the provisions of
section 1102, Including all rubbish burners and Incinerators, shall
be so designed that they will not discharge under normal conditions
of operation excessive smoke, soot, cinders, flyash or other mater-
ials which are deleterious to the safety or health of the public.
Under any circumstances, any combustion device intended for use as
specified in this section must conform to the applicable standards
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relative to control of emissions
and air quality standards.
SECTION 1105.0 INDUSTRIAL HEATING APPLIANCE CLASSIFICATION
1105.1 LOW HEAT APPLIANCES: A steam boiler which operates at fifty
(50) pounds per square inch or less gage pressure; or a steam boiler
of less than ten (10) boiler horse power, regardless of operating
pressure; or any equipment otherwise classified as a medium heat ap-
pliance, but not larger than one hundred (100) cubic feet in size,
in which the products of combustion at the point of entrance to the
flue under normal operating conditions have a temperature of six
hundred (600) degrees F. or less shall be calsslfied as a low heat
appliance.
Low heat appliances shall include among others:
Baking Ovens Forge Furnaces (Solid fuel-fired)
Candy Furnaces Gypsum Kilns
Coffee Ovens Lead Melting Furnaces
Core Ovens Parafflne Furnaces
Fertilizer Ovens Resin Melting Furnaces
Zinc Amalgamating Furnaces
1105.2 MEDIUM HEAT APPLIANCES: A steam boiler which operates at fifty
(50) pounds or more per square inch gage pressure; or a steam boiler
of over ten (10) boiler horse power regardless of operating pressure,
or any heat appliance, in which the products of combustion at the
point of entrance to the flue have a temperature of between six hvin-
dred (600) degrees and one thousand (1000) degrees F. under normal
11-3
operating conditions shall be classified as a medium heat appliance.
Medium heat appliances shall include among others :
Alabaster Gypsum Kilns Gas Producers
Annealing Furnaces Hardening Furnaces
Charcoal Furnaces Lime Kilns
Feed Dryers (direct fired) Linseed Oil Boiling
Fertilizer Dryers (direct Pulp Dryers (direct fired)
fired) Wood Distilling Furnaces
Galvanizing Furnaces Wood Gas Retorts
1105.3 HIGH HEAT APPLIANCES: Any appliance rated at higher horse-
power or operating at higher temperatures or pressures than a low or
medium heat appliance shall be classified as a high heat appliance.
High heat appliances shall include among others:
Bessemer Retorts Cupolas
Blast, Billet and Bloom and Glass Kilns and Furnaces
Open Hearth Furnaces Porcelain Baking and Glazing Kilns
Brass Furnaces Reverberatory Furnaces
Cement, Brick and Tile Kilns Welding Furnaces
Coal and Water Gas Retorts Wood Carbonizing Furnaces
SECTION 1106.0 FIRE RESISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR HEAT APPLIANCE
FOUNDATIONS
Unless specifically exempted in section 1109 , all floor-mounted in-
dustrial heat appliances shall be mounted on the ground, or on a foun-
dation of the following specified f ireresistive construction with
the required noncombustible insulated flooring or finish. No com-
bustible material shall be permitted against the underside of the
appliance or under the foundation unless specifically exempted.
Such construction and insulation shall extend not less than the spec-
ified distances from the sides of the appliance. The f ireresistive
floor and its finish shall have equal heat insulation value as the
protection herein required or such protection shall cover the entire
surface under the appliance. The installation of heating appliances
which operate at higher temperatures or pressures and industrial
power or process boilers and furnaces shall be governed by accepted
engineering practice.
1106.1 LOW HEAT APPLIANCES: Under a low heat appliance, the floor
shall be of masonry or other noncombustible construction which affords
not less than two (2) hour f ireresistance and shall extend not less
than twelve (12) inches beyond the appliance on all sides. When solid
fuel is used, the floor on the firing side or where the ashes are re-
moved shall be protected for at least eighteen (18) inches with not
less than one-quarter 0%) inch asbestos lumber covered with No. 24
U.S. gage sheet metal, or its approved equivalent.
11-4
1106.2 MEDIUM HEAT APPLIANCES: Under a medium heat appliance,
the floor shall be of masonry or other noncombustible construc-
tion which affords not less than three (3) hours f ireresistance
and shall extend not less than three (3) feet beyond the appliance
on all sides. When solid fuel is used, the fireresistive floor
shall extend not less than eight (8) feet at the front or side
from which the appliance is fired or the ashes are removed and
shall be protected with not less than No. 24 U.S. gage sheet metal.
1106.3 HIGH HEAT APPLIANCES: Under a high heat appliance, the
floor shall be of masonry or other noncombustible construction which
affords not less than four (4) hours f ireresistance and shall extend
not less than ten (10) feet beyond the appliance and not less than
thirty (30) feet at the front or side where hot products are removed
and shall be protected with not less than No. 24 U.S. gage sheet metal.
SECTION 1107.0 MOUNTING EXCEPTIONS FOR HEAT APPLIANCES
When heat appliances are approved for installation on combustible
construction they shall be mounted in accordance with the conditions
of the approval and within the limitations of this section.
1107.1 TWENTY-FOUR INCH CLEARANCE: When medium heat appliances are
mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not less
than twenty-four (24) inches in height under the base and the appli-
ance is arranged to prevent flame or hot gases from coming into con-
tact with the base, the supporting floor shall be protected with four
(4) inches of hollow clay or concrete tile covered with sheet metal
of not less than twenty-four (24) U.S. gage. The masonry tile course
shall be laid with ends unsealed and joints matched so as to provide
through circulation of air.
1107.2 EIGHTEEN INCH CLEARANCE: When low heat appliances are mounted
on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not less than
eighteen (18) inches in height under the base, and one or more metal
baffles are furnished between the burners and the floor and the ap-
pliance is arranged to prevent flame or hot gases from coming in con-
tact with the base, the supporting floor shall be insulated with not
less than one-quarter {h) inch asbestos mill board covered with No.
24 U.S. gage steel sheets under the appliance, projecting not less
than eighteen (18) inches from the sides of the appliance where fired
and where hot products of combustion are removed.
1107.3 EIGHT INCH CLEARANCE: When low heat appliances are mounted
on legs which provide an open ventilated space of eight (8) inches
in height under the base, and the appliance is arranged to prevent
flame or hot gases from coming into contact with the base, the sup-
porting floor shall be protected with not less than three-eighths
(3/8) inch asbestos mill board covered with not less than No. 24
U.S. gage sheet metal; and said protection shall project at least
six (6) inches beyond all sides of the appliance and eighteen (18)
inches therefrom on firing sides and where hot products of combus-
tion are removed.
11-5
1107.4 FOUR INCH CLEARANCE: When low heat appliances are mounted
on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not less than four
(4) inches in height under the base, and the appliance is so arranged
as to prevent the flame or hot gases from coming in contact with the
base, the supporting floor shall be protected with four (4) inches
of hollow clay or concrete tile covered with sheet metal of not less
than No. 24 U.S. gage. The masonry tile course shall be laid as pro-
vided in section 1109.1.
1107.5 DOUBLE TILE BASE PROTECTION: When low heat appliances are not
mounted on legs, the supporting floor shall be protected with two (2)
courses of four (4) inch hollow clay or concrete tile covered with a
three-sixteenth (3/16) inch steel plate. The tile courses shall be
laid at right angles to each other, with the ends unsealed and joints
matched in such manner as to provide a free circulation of air through
the hollow masonry. On the firing side or where hot products of com-
bustion are removed, the mounting and protection shall extend not less
than eighteen (18) inches from the side of the appliance.
1107.6 WATER-COOLED BASE: A low heat boiler with a water-cooled base,
which has a grate area of less than three (3) square feet or one in
which the combustion chamber is located not less than twelve (12) in-
ches above the floor, may rest directly on a sheet metal base of not
less than No. 14 U.S. gage steel without heat insulation on combus-
tible construction.
SECTION 1108.0 MOUNTING EXCEPTIONS FOR HOUSE HEATING APPLIANCES
Boilers and furnaces used for heating buildings and structures in-
cluding low pressure steam and hot water boilers, warm air furnaces
and floor mounted direct-fired unit heaters shall be installed in
accordance with accepted engineering standards listed in the ref-
erence standards of this article within the limitations of this code
governing fire protection and fire safety. Mounting of such heating
equipment shall conform with section 1108 for low heat appliances
except as follows :
1108.1 FOUR INCH CLEARANCE: When heating boilers and furnaces that
are mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not
less than four (4) inches in height under the base, the floor shall
be protected with not less than one-quarter (hi) inch mill board cov-
ered with sheet metal of not less than No. 24 U.S. gage which shall
extend not less than six (6) inches beyond the appliances and not
less than eighteen (18) inches where ashes are removed;
1108.2 TILE MASONRY MOUNTING: When heating boilers and furnaces are
not mounted on legs, the floor shall be protected with hollow clay or
concrete tile masonry not less than four (4) inches in thickness com-
plying with section 1109.4, extending not less than eighteen (18)
inches for ash removal;
11-6
1108.3 WATER BASE TYPE: All floor insulation herein required may
be omitted under heating boilers of the water-cooled base type when
the water jacket extends under all of the ash pit and fire box or
under the entire fire chamber when there is no ash pit.
1108.4 MECHANICAL WASM AIR FURNACES: All floor insulation herein
required may be omitted under mechanical warm air furnaces when the
fire chamber provides a completely ventilated air space of not less
than eighteen (18) inches in height beneath the firing chamber and
at least one (1) metal baffle is provided between firing chamber
and floor.
1108.5 ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS: The mounting and clearances
herein defined may be modified for heating installations in one- and
two-family dwellings as required under the specific provisions in
this code for gas boilers, warm air furnaces, floor furnaces, unit
and space heaters.
SECTION 1109.0 MOUNTING EXCEPTIONS FOR RESTAURANT APPLIANCES
Floor mounted restaurant type cooking appliances including ranges,
ovens, boilers and similar heating appliances designed for use in
hotel and restaurant kitchens shall conform to section 1108 for low
heat appliances except as follows:
1109.1 EIGHTEEN INCH CLEARANCE: When restaurant type appliances
are mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not
less than eighteen (18) inches in height under the base or which
have no burners, oven or broiler within eighteen (18) inches of
the floor, no special floor protection shall be required provided
there is at least one (1) metal baffle between burners and floor;
1109.2 EIGHT INCH CLEARANCE: When restaurant type appliances are
mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not less
than eight (8) inches in height under the base, the floor shall be
protected as provided in section 1107.3;
1109.3 FOUR INCH CLEARANCE: When restuarant type appliances are
mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated space of not less
than four (4) inches in height under the base, the floor shall be
protected as required in section 1107.4;
1109.4 DOUBLE TILE MOUNTING: When restaurant type appliances are
not mounted on legs, the floor under the appliance shall be protec-
ted as required in section 1107.5 with a double tile base.
SECTION 1110.0 MOUNTING EXCEPTIONS FOR DOMESTIC APPLIANCES
Domestic type floor mounted heating and cooking appliances includ-
ing stoves, ranges, space heaters, steam and hot water radiators and
water heaters, shall conform to section 1108 for low heat appliances
except as follows:
11-7
1110.1 EIGHTEEN INCH CLEARANCE: When domestic heating and cooking
appliances are mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated
space not less than eighteen (18) inches in height under the base
or which have no burners, oven or broiler within eighteen (18) inches
of the floor, no special floor protection shall be required provided
there is at least one (1) metal baffle between the comers and the
floor;
1110.2 FOUR INCH CLEARANCE: When domestic heating and cooking ap-
pliances are mounted on legs which provide an open ventilated space
not less than four (4) inches in height under the base, the floor
shall be protected with sheet metal of not less than No. 24 U.S. gage
or other approved noncombustible material. When solid fuel-fired,
the protection shall not extend not less than eighteen (18) inches
on sides where ashes are removed.
1110.3 TILE MASONRY MOUNTING: When domestic heating and cooking ap-
pliances are not mounted on legs, the floor shall be protected as re-
quired in section 1109.4.
SECTION 1111.0 SIDE AND TOP CLEARANCES
Clearances shall be provided from wood and Cither combustible con-
struction in walls, ceilings and partitions adjacent to heating ap-
pliance and equipment as follows :
1111.1 LOW HEAT APPLIANCES: A low heat appliance shall be installed
to provide a clearance from combustible material of not less than eighteen
(18) inches at the top, sides and rear and of not less than four (4)
feet at the front;
1111.2 MEDIUM HEAT APPLIANCES: A medium heat appliance shall be in-
stalled to provide a clearance from combustible material of not less
than three (3) feet at the sides and rear, of not less than four (4)
feet at the top, and of not less than eight (8) feet at the front or
sides where hot products of combustion are removed;
1111.3 HIGH HEAT APPLIANCES: A high heat appliance shall be installed
to provide a clearance from combustible material of not less than ten
(10) feet at the sides and rear, of not less than fifteen (15) feet at
the top, and of not less than thirty (30) feet at the front or sides
where hot products of combustion are removed.
SECTION 1112.0 CLEARANCE EXCEPTIONS
The building official may approve the installation of heating appli-
ances with lesser clearances than specified in section 1113 within the
limitations herein provided; and such variations shall be cited in the
conditions of approval together with the reason therefor. Heating ap-
pliances labeled by authoritative testing agencies which are approved
for installation with lessor requirements than herein provided may be
installed in accordance with the conditions of such approvals.
11-8
1112.1 CLEARANCE VARIATIONS: House heating appliances, domestic
type ranges and space heaters may be installed with modified clear-
ances as herein specified from combustible materials:
Clearance in Inches
Side and Smoke-
Top Rear Front pipe
Heating boilers and furnaces when water
or masonry jacketed 6
When jacketed with Ih" asbestos cement. 9
Mechanical warm air with 250o F. temp-
ature limit control 6
Domestic ranges and stoves 36
Ranges and stove with fire clay lining 24
Space heaters 36
Water heaters 12
6
48
18
6
48
18
6
48
18
18
36
18
18
24
18
18
36
18
12
12
18
1112.2 GAS-FIRED EQUIPMENT: The front clearance for boilers and
furnaces which are gas-fired may be reduced to eighteen (18) inches.
Gas-fired ranges and steam or hot water radiators may be reduced to
six (6) inch front, side and rear clearances. Vent pipes for gas-
fired appliances shall conform to section 1011.
1112.3 FIRE PROTECTION: The clearances from combustible materials
or construction for all types of heating appliances, systems, pipes,
flues, and vents which contain hot gases may be decreased from those
required elsewhere in this code when the exposed construction is pro-
tected with noncombustible materials to afford the f ireresistances
specified in table 11-1, or the equivalent protection is secured by
an ap